Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Some Twenty Years ago, I did some research work with Christian Schumacher regarding the transformational nature of work. In his book “God in Work” Christian Schumacher wrote in the form of a memoir, and analyses workplace structures by drawing on theology for its insights, and retells the author's own journey of discovery.
Our text for today and the thesis behind the “God in Work” book aligns with the transformational prayer of Jesus; “I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, so that they also may be sanctified in truth.'
Jesus tells us that we too are ‘sent’ to continue his mission. Friendship with Jesus is being with him, and being sent in his name. Our mission as his followers is in the midst of and in the depths of the world. He wants his love and message inserted in the centre of the world, the city, the neighbourhood. In following him in mission and love, we are ourselves sanctified. How do I experience this ‘being sent’? But in this task we need our minds renewed and for the christian allowing the mind of Christ to be within us.
A Jesuit Priest on considering Christ’s words, prayed, “No, Lord, do not take me out of the world. I belong there, with all its messiness, just as you belonged there, and took all the risks it involved. I do not seek a lily-pure existence untouched by the struggle for survival. But I do beg you to protect me from the evil one, from the malice in my own heart.”
Once more I turn to the words of David Adams
Help me, Lord, to see
You are about me
You are my hope.
In my lying down and rising
In my travelling and arriving
Help me, Lord, to see
You are about me
Your are my hope.
In my sorrow and enjoyment
In my work and unemployment
Help me, Lord, to see
You are about me
You are my hope.
In my peacefulness and strife
In my going from this life
Help me, Lord, to see
Your are about me
You are my hope.
In my achievement and its waning
In my losing and my gaining
Help me, Lord, to see
You are about me
Your are my hope.
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