As we begin Isaiah, chapter 6: 1-8 shows us his ministry beginning in the presence of the glory of God: 

I saw the Lord seated on a high throne, his train filled the sanctuary; above him stood seraphs… and they cried out to one another in this way, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.” 

In response to Isaiah’s fear, one of the seraphs touched his lips with a live coal taken from the altar and said, “See now, this has touched your lips; your sin is taken away!” 

It was then that God said, “Whom shall I send? Who will be our messenger?” And Isaiah answered, “Here I am; send me!” 

To speak as God’s ministers, we must know:

1. We have been chosen and sent by God.  
2. We are not worthy to minister in his name; we are sinful. 
3. God has in some way purified us of our sinfulness—not entirely, but “our lips,” so we can proclaim to others his forgiveness and his power to purify them as well. 
4. We are sent as the weak ministers of God’s overwhelming power; as the sinful but chosen messengers of his awesome holiness.  

Ministry is something we should neither presume nor refuse to do. We minister because we are called. We are called because God has chosen to call us. All ministry begins in the majesty of God, and the majesty of God is its end: “Holy, holy, holy Lord! Heaven and earth are full of your glory!” This is what we live and breathe for: “Father! Hallowed be thy name!” 

In Matthew 10: 24-33, Jesus tells us to minister without fear, conscious of the glory that sends us and the glory that will receive us: 

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body… If any declare themselves for me in the presence of men, I will declare myself for them in the presence of my Father in heaven. But those who disown me in the presence of men, I will disown in the presence of my Father in heaven. 

As ministers of Jesus, we begin and end before the throne of God, where the angels are proclaiming, “Holy, holy, holy Lord! Heaven and earth are full of your glory!” If we experience rejection as disciples, we are simply like our teacher: 

who, though he was in the form of God… emptied himself, taking the form of a slave… Therefore God also highly exalted him… so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend… and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (See Philippians 2:6-11) 

Today’s Responsorial Psalm (Psalm 93) bases ministry on the confidence that the Lord has all power: “The Lord is king; he is robed in majesty.” 

Prayer Prompt: Look to God, not to what is apparent on earth. Be ready to minister to others when God calls you! 

— Fr. David M. Knight

View today’s Mass readings, Lectionary #388, on the USCCB website here

Fr. David M. Knight (1931-2021) was a priest of the Diocese of Memphis in Tennessee, a prolific writer, and a highly sought after confessor, spiritual director, and retreat master. He authored more than 40 books and hundreds of articles that focus primarily on lay spirituality and life-long spiritual growth.