When we were ordained over fifty years ago, we had to choose a quotation from Scripture to put on the holy card to be handed out on the big occasion. I did not have a favourite quote, but I picked the one out of John’s gospel where Jesus says, “I have come that you may have life, life in all its fullness” (John 10:10). I did not have any particular reason for choosing this saying of Jesus except it sounded good and was not too pious!
Over the years since, I have often thought about how fortunate I was to have this quote. When I worked in parishes in the Philippines, it seemed to me that I was doing what Jesus was doing: trying to help people “have life”.
Later, when teaching in Sydney, I again thought that by working with people in the lecture hall, we were helping each other learn more. We were growing in our understanding of the Gospel of Jesus and some of its implications for living in the twentieth century. John 10:10 was an encouraging saying for me at that time too.
In later years, I have spent quite some time in administration. Sitting in front of a computer most days dealing with emails may not seem much of a life, but I was part of the network of Columban priests and lay people inspired by the mission of the Columbans. This gave me a great sense of purpose. It was life-giving.
At one stage, while reading chapter 12 of the first letter of St Paul to the people in Corinth, I realised there are many roles needed in the Christian community and that the Spirit gifts certain people so that they can do the job. Amongst the list he provides in v. 28 is “administrators”. Administration is rarely seen as an exciting role. Yet all organisations need administrators, even the People of God.
The Christian community in Corinth needed administrators, and so does St Columbans Mission Society. This means that my current role as an administrator is not just a job. It is also a gift to the community provided by the Holy Spirit. For me, John and Paul meet here. Administration is part of what I do so that others “may have life”.
The promise of Jesus to all of us is not just that we may “have life”. The rest of the quote promises us “life in all its fullness”. I am sure I did not know what that meant when I first chose it for my ordination. I am not sure what Jesus means even now, although there is another quote from John that I like.
At the Last Supper, in John’s Gospel, Jesus gives a long farewell talk to his disciples. In chapter 17, verse 23, he prays to the Father, “With me in them and you in me, may they be so perfected in unity that the world will recognise that it was you who sent me and that you have loved them as you have loved me.”
I need to sit with this rather convoluted verse for a very long time. Firstly, it speaks of our union with God by speaking of Christ being in us! This is an amazing thing to know and believe.
The point of this communion with God is that we (that is, all human beings) may be in perfect unity! This is the purpose of all missionary work. That the world may be in perfect unity through our union with Jesus. When that happens, we will all know that the Father loves us just as he loves Jesus!
It is all rather mind-blowing, but it seems to me that this is what John meant by the “fullness of life”. For me, John 10:10 is good for many more years yet.
Fr Trevor Trotter
Regional Director of Oceania
rdoceania@columban.org.au
Listen to "From the Director - The Gospel of John"
Related links
- Read more from The Far East - November/December 2022
