Being a Living Sacrifice

The Readings on the Fifth Sunday of Easter incorporate a theme of special offering and dedication.  Paul & Barnabas appoint and set aside leaders for the churches they had established. The Apocalypse (Revelation) speaks of the establishment of the New Jerusalem like a bride being presented to her Husband, and in the Gospel, Jesus speaks of God being glorified through His own victorious sacrifice on the cross.

These scriptures all resonate with a sense of a joyous offering. An offering of something precious, so that others might be renewed, liberated, encouraged and transformed.

Part of the mystery of our journey into union with Jesus, the Anointed One, is that we are anointed by Him to be an offering to God for His glory for the good of others.  St Paul succinctly states in Romans 12:1-2

 “Therefore, brethren, I implore you by the mercies of God to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice that is holy and acceptable to God—a spiritual act of worship.”  

While these words can sound grandiose and distant from our everyday lives in the parish community, there are opportunities everywhere to joyfully give of our time, resources and skills for the service of the others and the glory of God.

Monday is the beginning of National Volunteer’s week which culminates in our second annual Parish Service Day at all Masses next weekend. On this day our Ministry teams will provide information about opportunities around the parish where each of us can engage and offer a joyful sacrifice to God in service.  In the lead up to next Sunday, I invite you to pray that God reveals to you where your joyful sacrifice might lie.

You might consider volunteering for a role at Sunday Mass such as a reader, extraordinary minister of communion, or a welcomer or greeter. You might feel called to assist with hospitality after Mass, take communion to the sick or housebound, to pray for those seeking a new awakening through the RCIA process or ALPHA, or simply visit someone you haven’t seen in a while.

All the ministries in our parish fall under six teams: Worship, Community Life, Children & Families, Faith & Formation, Service & Outreach, and Youth and Young Adults.  These ministry areas will be represented at all Masses. Through actions and gifts, both seen and unseen, everyone can vibrantly engage in the life of our parish. By doing so, we, as a community, will be better able to accompany people to encounter Jesus.  I encourage you, like St Paul did, to consider where you might offer yourself as a joyful living sacrifice unto God for His glory and the blessing of others.  In this coming week pray and ask God to show you what you can offer to encourage and bless others.

“If you ask anything according to His will, God will answer you.” (1John5:14-15)

Beth Davies, Mission Coordinator