Pastor’s Corner for the Second Sunday In Ordinary Time, Year A, by Rev. Fr. Nobert Munekani SJ

The readings for the 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A inspire us to think about Ministry as service, The call to holiness and Servant leadership.

The tendency is for us to make up their own philosophy of ministry, based on our own concept of what the church is supposed to do. The truth is, however, that God has clearly laid out for us in Scripture what the ministry of the church is. We don’t decide why the church exists (its purpose) nor what it is supposed to do (its mission). God has already done that because the church is his institution on earth not ours! Our responsibility is to determine how to achieve our biblical mandate most effectively and appropriately in our local community at our time in history.

Ministry is aboutgiving of ourselves and our time, talents, and resources to bless and help others. The cry of the minister is “someone’ s got to do it, might as well be me.” When we serve in ministry, we will find our greatest joy and most fulfillment in life. Therefore, ministry is what we do for God’s glory based on where He has placed us, how He has gifted us, and what He has called us to do according to His infinite wisdom and for the proclamation of the gospel.  “God the Creator has uniquely designed each of us to function in ways that bring us purpose and significance.

So, we are all called to do ministry and even minister, but in all kinds of different ways so that the gospel can be proclaimed, the kingdom can be built, and God can be glorified. The important distinction between what kind of ministry we do is not who we are, what job we do, or even what abilities we have — it is the calling of God.

God is the only hero in our story, the gospel is the only idea that is profound, and how He calls us, equips us, and chooses to use us in His ministry is one of His many acts of grace upon us and the world. To have any other kind of order of importance leans us toward idolatry or self-serving. Therefore, ministry is what we do for God’s glory based on where He has placed us, how He has gifted us, and what He has called us to do according to His infinite wisdom and for the proclamation of the gospel. 

As We begin the new year let us reflect on what God is calling us to do this year and not what we want to do.

We continue to pray for the sick members of our parish especially Elizabeth Mooi, Gloria Malunga and Malefu Mkhambi.

Fr. Nobert Munekani SJ