Doing greater works than Jesus

Good News Reflection
Monday of the Fifth Week of Easter
May 3, 2010

Today's Feast: Philip and James, apostles
Pray for your own apostolate:
http://wordbytes.org/saints/DailyPrayers/JamesPhilip.htm

Today's Readings:
1 Cor 15:1-8
Ps 19:2-5
John 14:6-14
http://www.usccb.org/nab/050310.shtml
USCCB Podcast of the Readings:
http://ccc.usccb.org/cccradio/NABPodcasts/10_05_03.mp3

Doing greater works than Jesus

In today's Gospel reading, Jesus says, "Whoever believes in me will do the works I do, and greater far than these." What does he mean – greater than HIS?

Let's start with the basics: If you and I really do believe in Jesus, we want to be his apostles. The word "apostle" means "one who is sent." We want to be sent by Jesus to help others get to know him and experience his love. Our faith drives us into ministry and outreach. And Jesus gives us the power of his Holy Spirit so that we will be successful.

What are we sent forth to do?

Each of us has been assigned apostolates by the Father. Just as the Father accomplished his works through Jesus, so too does the Father desire to accomplish his works through me – and also through you! He has given you a set of talents and gifts that make you uniquely capable for your particular divine purpose in life. You also have training and experiences (both good and bad) that God wants to put to good use.

Our Father has assigned an apostolate to you that requires your special combination of personality traits and spiritual attributes, right where you are right now – in your job, your home, your relationships, your church, your neighborhood. Because of your uniqueness, he cannot accomplish this through anyone else!

Jesus said that if we believe in him, we will do the same works he did "and greater far than these." Through his humanity, Jesus did human works. These are the same works we do matter-of-factly as good people. Human works include loving each other, teaching what we've learned, sharing what we've been given, listening to those who need someone to talk to, working hard on the job to our fullest potential, offering a helping hand when we see a need, etc. But even atheists do that.

Through his divinity – his unity with the Father – Jesus did supernatural works (the "greater works"). Through Jesus, you and I are united to the Father, and the Father extends himself to the world through us. Through us, the Father continues working miracles, the humanly impossible works. Only someone who believes in Jesus and relies on his Holy Spirit can do this.

What does the Father want to accomplish through you? How does he want to improve the world through you? Pray to hear your calling and to recognize your apostolate. Dedicate (or rededicate) your gifts, talents, resources, skills, and experiences to God for use in his kingdom. Pray that the Holy Spirit will strengthen your virtues and empower your giftedness so that when others encounter you, they will experience the human works of Jesus AND the divine works of the Father.

© 2010 by Terry A. Modica
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