The church in which I abide is described as a body, its members associated with a Head. One of its first members became an apostle, one who knows the Head so well that he is chosen to take the mentality of the Head and announce it authentically for others to follow. In his new life he was Paul. To his followers in Philippi he addressed these words: “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus….”
Jesus is Mentor above all mentors.
People modelling Jesus surrounded me from my earliest days, my mentors. It was through their faith that I was presented as an infant to be joined to the body of Christ. I received the life of that body who is its Breath, the Gift of the Holy Spirit who came into my soul when I received the first sacrament. Baptised I am, what I am still learning is to have that mind in me which was also in Christ Jesus; to grow as a member in the body of Christ, to find my place in its life and in its mission, and to put myself and my gifts at the disposal of churches and modern-day successors of the apostles.
I belong to the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church which has orders for initiation both of children and of adults seeking to become members. There are members already initiated who understand the mysteries of faith; others being called to full initiation; others enrolled for initiation with mentors called sponsors or godparents; others called catechumens being instructed in the mind of Christ and to know about our life and worship, and accompanied by member-companions for their journey towards baptism; there are enquirers who may or may not have Christian mentorship.
Above all is one who “gave gifts to mankind; some he appointed apostles, others to be prophets, others to be evangelists, others to be pastors and teachers”. So wrote St Paul to the Ephesians. He continued: “He did this to prepare all God’s people for the work of Christian service, in order to build up the body of Christ.” Ephesians 4: 11-12
One way or another, members are all in need of constant renewal, saints in the making. The body is not yet perfect; sometimes scandals pile up harm; members can also be penitents. Alongside members are admirers, often friends or lovers of members, being won over by the faithfulness of those who surround them. There are also critics. They are not unknown to our Lord. He may have a surprise, for them and for us. One of the fiercest early critics was struck blind as he fell from his horse on the Road to Damascus. It was from that moment that Saul would become the apostle Paul.
Wherever you may be on the roads or crossroads of life, the purpose of the essays on this website is to invite you to share thoughts, feelings, observations, and feedback. You may seek out mentors for yourselves or contact us.
