22 OCTOBER, 2017.
WORLD MISSION SUNDAY.
Isaiah 2:1-5
Psalm 122
1Timothy 2:1-8
Mark 16:15-20
MISSION AT THE HEART OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH.
For our reflection today, I give a summary of the Pope’s message for World Mission Sunday:
Jesus, “the very first and greatest evangelizer” continues to send us out “to proclaim the Gospel of the love of God the Father in the power of the Holy Spirit” to “a world marked by confusion, disappointment and frustration and… wars that unjustly target the innocent.” It is needful, then, that we reflect on our mission which is “at the heart of the Christian faith.”
The subject of the Church’s mission is the Gospel which is transformative. It brings joy that is contagious which invigorates the hearers. Jesus is the Way we follow to experience Truth and receive his Life “which is fullness of communion with God the Father in the power of the Holy Spirit.” It is the will of the Father that we be existentially transformed to worship Him “in spirit and in truth.” The preaching of the Gospel is “vital and effective” in making Jesus Christ incarnate in our human milieu.
In the mission of the Church, Christ Jesus continues the work of evangelization He started, thus making every moment in history a “favourable time of salvation.” In the proclamation of the Gospel, the Risen Lord is with us, transforming all those who welcome Him to be agents of “a fruitful humanity and creation." We should remember that we are Christians because of our encounter with a Living Person Jesus and not because “of an ethical choice or a lofty idea” (Benedict XVI, Deus Caritas Est,1). Jesus is personified in the Gospel. In the Sacraments of Initiation; Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist, the Gospel becomes for us “a source of life… a fortifying anointing and… food for new life.” Our world is very much in need of the Gospel of Jesus, who “through the Church continues his mission as the Good Samaritan… and Good Shepherd.” Testimonies about the transforming power of the Gospel abound.
In being faithful to her mission, “a spirituality of constant exodus, pilgrimage and exile” has emerged in the Church. In carrying out her mission, the Church should in humility see herself as “an instrument of meditation of the Kingdom.” Young people are the hope of mission. Everything should be done to involve them in work of mission. The Synod of Bishops for 2018 has the theme “Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment.” The Pontifical Mission Societies have a great role to play in keeping alive the “missionary spirituality” in every Christian Community.
To remain committed to our mission, we have to work with Mary Mother of Evangelisation, whose ‘yes’ brought down Jesus “the very first greatest evangelizer.” May she intercede for us at all times.
Mary, Mother and Star of Evangelization, pray for us. Amen.
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vine-grower…Every branch that bears fruit He prunes, to make it bear more fruits (John 15:1&2).
-FR. PAUL B. ENOW.
WORLD MISSION SUNDAY.
Isaiah 2:1-5
Psalm 122
1Timothy 2:1-8
Mark 16:15-20
MISSION AT THE HEART OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH.
For our reflection today, I give a summary of the Pope’s message for World Mission Sunday:
Jesus, “the very first and greatest evangelizer” continues to send us out “to proclaim the Gospel of the love of God the Father in the power of the Holy Spirit” to “a world marked by confusion, disappointment and frustration and… wars that unjustly target the innocent.” It is needful, then, that we reflect on our mission which is “at the heart of the Christian faith.”
The subject of the Church’s mission is the Gospel which is transformative. It brings joy that is contagious which invigorates the hearers. Jesus is the Way we follow to experience Truth and receive his Life “which is fullness of communion with God the Father in the power of the Holy Spirit.” It is the will of the Father that we be existentially transformed to worship Him “in spirit and in truth.” The preaching of the Gospel is “vital and effective” in making Jesus Christ incarnate in our human milieu.
In the mission of the Church, Christ Jesus continues the work of evangelization He started, thus making every moment in history a “favourable time of salvation.” In the proclamation of the Gospel, the Risen Lord is with us, transforming all those who welcome Him to be agents of “a fruitful humanity and creation." We should remember that we are Christians because of our encounter with a Living Person Jesus and not because “of an ethical choice or a lofty idea” (Benedict XVI, Deus Caritas Est,1). Jesus is personified in the Gospel. In the Sacraments of Initiation; Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist, the Gospel becomes for us “a source of life… a fortifying anointing and… food for new life.” Our world is very much in need of the Gospel of Jesus, who “through the Church continues his mission as the Good Samaritan… and Good Shepherd.” Testimonies about the transforming power of the Gospel abound.
In being faithful to her mission, “a spirituality of constant exodus, pilgrimage and exile” has emerged in the Church. In carrying out her mission, the Church should in humility see herself as “an instrument of meditation of the Kingdom.” Young people are the hope of mission. Everything should be done to involve them in work of mission. The Synod of Bishops for 2018 has the theme “Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment.” The Pontifical Mission Societies have a great role to play in keeping alive the “missionary spirituality” in every Christian Community.
To remain committed to our mission, we have to work with Mary Mother of Evangelisation, whose ‘yes’ brought down Jesus “the very first greatest evangelizer.” May she intercede for us at all times.
Mary, Mother and Star of Evangelization, pray for us. Amen.
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vine-grower…Every branch that bears fruit He prunes, to make it bear more fruits (John 15:1&2).
-FR. PAUL B. ENOW.
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