"A New Season"
"Mission" (Relational Purpose: Part
5)
As intercessors we are called to be
one with the Lamb of God and his mission to take away sin, and his ministry of
reconciliation. This being 'one' with Jesus is called transforming union.
Our charism ('to live Jesus and his cross') gives life to others because it
gives Jesus to others. Our charism has been given so that out of our union
with the Lamb, we may obtain this same union for others--so that each person
might experience the intimacy of God as Father personally.
This transforming union with the Lamb
takes place primarily in the Spirit. The Holy Spirit is both the "Transformer"
and "Sanctifier" of our lives. Jesus wants to live within us in the power of
his Holy Spirit. This incarnational reality (becoming extensions of his
incarnation) can only come about through transforming union. Transforming
union comes forth only from contemplation and being with God. We experience
this union when we receive Jesus into ourselves. Then, we begin to undergo the
process by which we become totally one with him.
In this union we are called to be
transformed into 'Jesus Christ Crucified', the Lamb who was slain. This means
the cross. Transforming union involves a dying (a death to self for each of us)
so that we can be united with Jesus on the cross. We can only do this when we
have this charismatic gift of "agape love" (sacrificial love for others)
operating within us. As intercessors we are offered only in union with the
Lamb. We never go to "Calvary" alone. So, we need to beg God for this gift.
We can only experience the full power
of the resurrection if we first enter into the dying process (the death of the
Lord within ourselves)--dying to ourselves (our way, our wants, our desires) so
that the Lamb may 'rise' within our hearts. In the spirit of Phil. 3:10 we need
to be formed into the pattern of his death, totally dead to self so that life
comes forth. Then, as we are united with the Lamb in our life and lifestyle,
Jesus can 'reach out' from within us to continue to reunite all humanity to God.
The fruit of this transforming union
is that we begin to live more fully because we are living his life, filled with
his divinity. We become life-bearers for others. In a mystical way we begin
to give life when Jesus takes over from
within us. It is he who now works through us when we are in such intimate union
with him. Jesus begins to intercede through us. The power of intercession is
released when we are so united with him on the cross, totally dead to ourselves.
Jesus takes us to where he is: "Where I am there will my servant be" (John
12:26). If we are on the cross with the Lamb, he takes us to the Father's right
hand to intercede with him. Another fruit of this union is that we become a
"sacrament of love", bringing the presence of Jesus wherever we go. Through
this abiding with him, we become holy, and a house of prayer for all people.
Becoming one with the heart of Jesus Christ Crucified makes us 'qualified
ministers of the New Covenant'. Then, Jesus can move through us to bring others
into holiness and union with God.
Questions:
1) Are
there areas in my life where I am still not one with Jesus?
2) Am
I conscious of any ways in which Jesus has begun to "take over" from within me
and work through me?
Scriptures:
Any scripture from the text; Rom. 6:4-5; Rom. 6:8,11; Eph.
3:14-21
