It was Jesus who said we are "sent into the world" (John 17:18). I don't think we have grasped the significance of his words and the idea that our work, our vocation in the world is a way of serving the creator God. If we should ask most Christians what they do to fulfill their calling they may say, "I teach Sunday school, I sing in the choir, I have served many church dinners." But have you ever heard someone say, "I am called to be a school bus driver. God is concerned about the safety of his children; I am called to be a teacher and do my best to help children grow to maturity; I am called to be a lawyer concerned about justice." The Church is meant to be not a fortress to which we retreat, but a launching pad, thrusting us into the world.

Luther understood the words of Jesus that we are sent into the world. He writes, "What is our work in field and garden, in town and house, in battling and in ruling, to God, but the work of his children? Our works are God's mask, behind which [God] remains hidden, although [God] does all things."

A recent statement from the Greek Orthodox Church understands the words of Jesus. It says, "All are called to be saints, [to be Christians], but each person is called to do so in his or her own unique way. ... Some will work primarily in a physical way, others will work intellectually. Some will be artists, scientists, business people, and professionals. ... In the eyes of God none is better than the other is."

Augsburg College understands the words of Jesus that "we are sent into the world." In your promotional literature you say, "Augsburg prepares future leaders to serve in the world." In your amazingly good document, Augsburg 2004: Extending the Vision, you say, "A loving relationship with God should be enacted as a loving relationship with the world. Augsburg ... does not turn its back on the world." And last week I heard your president speak eloquently in downtown Minneapolis about these ideas.

But you do not simply talk about it; you send leaders into the world. You could meet Congressman Martin Sabo ’59, ELCA presiding bishop Mark Hanson ’68, or basketball coach Lute Olson ’56, recently inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Or, watch L.A. Laker Devean George ’99; or Jenni Lilledahl ’87, Brave New Workshop; or Mike Bodnarczuk ’84, Hollywood producer. If you go to a hundred or a thousand other places in the Twin Cities you will find Augsburg graduates.

And soon you will be sent into this world, Class of 2003 or 2004. It is a world with brilliant accomplishments in technology, science, and medicine. But it is also a very troubled world. You who study political science and psychology and religion, will you bring peace to the world or to your community?

You who study biology or chemistry, will you find a cure for AIDS or will you serve in a hospital or other place of healing? You who study economics and business, will you bring integrity and justice to the world of business or to your workplace?

You may respond, "How can I make a difference? I am a lowly freshman," or an exhausted senior. Some two centuries ago a little boy grew up in England. He was frail and weak. ... As a young boy he listened with rapt attention to a former slave trader, John Newton, now a Christian who had renounced slavery and who wrote "Amazing Grace." The name of the boy was William Wilberforce.

This little boy grew up, and when he was a mere 24 years old or so he was one of the most powerful members of Parliament in England. He took his faith seriously. He struggled with the idea that he should leave Parliament and enter some church work, perhaps become a clergy. He came to the conclusion, persuaded by many, even John Wesley, that he was sent into the world to serve God. ... For 20 years he worked in Parliament to abolish the slave trade. He worked another 26 years and slavery itself was abolished in England and its colonies. There was no civil war such as took place in our country where 640,000 young men died. Wilberforce changed a nation; he changed a century. He is buried in Westminster Abbey beside kings and queens.

In this world you may not change a nation or a century, but you may change a city, or a neighborhood, or your home. You may change a classroom, or a hospital, or a business. Your presence in this world, in this city, will make a difference because you are sent there as a mask of God.

For your life in this world you will need many gifts. I will focus on only one, which Jesus underscored when he said, "Behold I am sending you as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise ... " (Matthew 10:16). We don't always recognize wisdom as a Christian quality.

... So grow wise here at Augsburg as you prepare to go into God's world as a mask of God. You will make a difference.

Dr. James B. Hofrenning is professor emeritus of religion at Concordia College-Moorhead
and is the father-in-law of Augsburg economics professor Stella Hofrenning.