Fitted for that Work: 02 August 2001
"St. Paul does tell us, however, that baptized followers of Jesus constitute His mystical body. As such, we are all members of that body, each with our own particular role to play in the Christian community and in the world around us. This also was a critical part of Jesus' message, that we are not isolated individuals on a planet way out in the middle of space. We were called to live in community, in a community where people care for one another. That is a tremendous departure from religion of the past and gives depth to Jesus' law of love, which places us in relationship with the community, where we find fulfillment of our calling as Jesus' followers. We are responsible for one another. We are our brother's and sister's keeper. St. Paul describes this community as a mystical body, with Jesus informing all the members through baptism in which He shares His very life, bonding each of us to one another as the soul informs every part of the human body. It is in this we find our vocation, filling a need and playing a part in the growth and health of the community. Living out that role is what God has called us to accomplish in our life. ... We have been fitted for that work by special gifts and in special ways and our holiness is bound up in that unique calling. We will grow in our own personal holiness within the framework of that calling." (A Portrait of Jesus, Joseph Girzone, p. 91–92, emphasis added)
This makes sense to me. I don't need to figure out what I want to do, I need to do what I'm 'fitted for' and what God has prompted me to do, and in that I will find a career, a lifestyle, peace, and holiness.
I'm afraid to get zealous again. I don't want to get cheesy and pushy and infuriating. I want to be gentle and loving and approachable and safe. I see Jesus being all those things, but so many people who seem to have their lives wrapped around and obsessed with him are so elitist. The last thing I want to be right now is a Bible-readin', devil-stompin', convert-winning, fiery-preaching sold-out believer! I hate the hype. I just want to be a normal person who goes about her business and loves the people she comes in contact with and prays simply and in secret. I don't want to be a super-Christian.
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