Mission Us
BY JUSTIN WHITE | May 17, 2021
Sunday’s Readings
As I read and reflect on the Scriptures, I can’t help but hear one of Diana Ross’ iconic songs in my head:
“Do you know where you’re going to?
Do you like the things that life is showin’ you?
Where are you going to?”
(Theme from Mahogany)
I have to admit that as an educator I want to place the ”Book of 2020-2021” on a shelf in the basement. I’m tempted to not fully reflect on the consolations and desolations of the school year. I find myself wanting to do this because I don’t really want to reflect on the ways I’ve failed as a hybrid educator. I do not want to reflect on all the informal moments I didn’t have with students, or the family moments that were lost. I do not want to reflect on the constant exhaustion from the barrage of painful headlines. I’m ready to move on—but move on to what?
After the betrayal of Judas and the death of Jesus, the Apostles and disciples had to be devastated. Even among all the beautiful moments of revelation from our Lord, the reality that Jesus was killed and no longer present had to leave all the followers feeling missionless.
Are any of us feeling missionless these days?
But then the Holy Spirit came and infused the followers with great fortitude to proclaim the faith. Followers like Peter and John were shaken from their despair and focus on failure to prophetic witness. They, and many others, stood up and continued to speak the Kingdom of God into existence—just as Jesus did. Life had changed drastically for the Apostles and disciples, but the mission did not change. Life has changed drastically for you and I, but our mission has not. We are the mission. Bringing forth a radical love that is bound to transform anything and anyone, even in the most uncertain of times, is our mission.
God is love, and whoever remains in love
remains in God and God in him.
As we get closer to the summer and as school years, semesters, and financial periods close—what have we learned? Where are you as an individual going to? Where as a family, friend group, organization, institution, Church are we going to?
Justin T. White is a middle school counselor, admissions associate, and clubs and activities coordinator at Loyola Blakefield in Towson, Maryland.
I am always amazed at the goodness of my family, that is my sons, daughters in law and grandchildren. They’ve come out of this pandemic is a good place with concern and love for all. They are attentive to the needs of each person and together as a family. They have taken the domestic Church seriously and morally and spiritually guide their families. They laugh a lot at all the antics of the young ones, they care for each others needs and material things they enjoy. They spend as much time they can outside biking, roller blading and scooting. There is unbridled joy of being with them and seeing their lives unfold in a pleasant way. The oldest did not like distance learning as she is very attuned to interacting with people. She is looking forward to second grade! The grace of the moment is that the parents had significant time to be with the children even though all are working at other jobs. So do they have a mission? Yes, a glorious one as they populate the Body of Christ. My mission? To continue to bring the Word of God to all I come in contact with. As the Ascension passes we know the Lord wants us to get out(Ite missa est) and help the world reveal Him with the goodness and strength and courage of the Holy Spirit.
Reflecting for mission, on “what have we learned” and “where are we going,” (in journey-outward ways), here’s an interesting example of a short (journey-inward) video from UK “Christians in Politics” ( christiansinpolitics.org.uk ). See “Order from Chaos,” on cultivating a disposition of humility, at: https://youtu.be/wU4s4-EWZwk
I need to be reminded that it doesn’t matter if we know where we’re going as long as we know Who is leading us! Thank you for your thoughts and thanks for being an Educator!!
Transforming ourselves and transforming society is a humble mission. Life changes but mission remains the same. Well said Justin White.