4.6 Response
STAGE 4: Towards the Likeness of Jesus Christ
JESUS AND CONSECRATION
THE CAPTIVATING MODEL
RESPONSE
Aim: To respond to our baptismal consecration which makes us both “a chosen race” and “living stones”.
Reading
Living stones and chosen people (1 Pet 2:4-10): Come to the Lord, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in scripture: “See, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame”. To you then who believe, he is precious; but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the very head of the corner”, and “A stone that makes them stumble, and a rock that makes them fall”. They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Comment
St. Peter has very assuring words for those who are consecrated to God “in Christ”. He affirms in them the dignity of “a chosen race and holy priesthood” and the effectiveness of “living stones”. It is a reminder of what Jesus said in his Sermon on the Mount: “You are the salt of the earth … and the light of the world” (Mt 5:13-14).
Our baptismal consecration aims at making us “salt of the earth”, able to bring good taste where we live and work, with a lifestyle capable of communicating deep meaning, of provoking challenging questions, and of helping those around us to regain a sense of hope.
Besides, our baptismal consecration makes us “light of the world”. It is the light of faith that accompanies us throughout our life and that “shines before others”. It is the light of our concrete actions and our Christian way of witnessing our love of God and neighbour.
Concretely, this is “doing” our consecration in the manner described by Jesus in the parable of “the works of mercy”: “I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me” (Mt 25:35-36).
Personal Reflection and Sharing
In what ways is my consecration making me “salt of the earth” and “light of the world”?
What is the unique “good taste” that I leave in others? What is my unique way of being “a lamp” to the people around me?
[4-6] CALL RESPONSE COMMITMENT PRAYER