Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – The Church is missionary by nature. In light of the upcoming celebration of World Mission Sunday on October 19, the Holy Father has mentioned that “The missionary mandate continues to be an absolute priority for all baptized persons who are called to be ‘servants and apostles of Christ Jesus’ at the beginning of this millennium” (Message for World Mission Sunday 2008, written May 11, 2008) Sometimes it seems that Christians nowadays live a faith that is a little too “comfortable,” that implies little or no personal commitment, and little or no sense of the urgency of the mission. We could say that a Christian who is not zealous about bringing God’s love to his fellow man, i.e. a Christian who is not a missionary, is not truly a Christian.
The Lord said, “Go out to all the world and preach the Gospel,” (Mk. 16:15-16), and His Word continues to echo in His Church. If the Church ignored these words, she would be unfaithful to Christ. We have Saint Paul as our model missionary: “Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel!” (1 Cor. 9:16). In his Message for World Mission Sunday 2008, the Holy Father reminds us of this pressing obligation that we all have to announce Christ and His saving message.
During the month of October, the month dedicated to the missions, faithful to the words of the Holy Father we should make an effort so that this essential aspect of the Church become more imbedded in our hearts and in the hearts of all the faithful. We should look back in time to the early Church, the Church of the martyrs and confessors. How many from among our Christian brethren lost their jobs, their homes, their reputation, or even their lives for confessing the faith of Jesus Christ! They are a witness of fidelity and obedience to the Lord’s command.
The Holy Father makes reference to three main aspects of participation in missionary activity: prayer, sacrifice, and material help.
Praying for the missions is a sign of mature faith. Many times, as Christians our prayer is too selfish. We only pray for our own needs and the world seems to revolve around our own person and we are incapable of discovering the existence of our fellow man. Other times, we are aware of others, but in a very superficial manner. Our goal should be that all men come to know the love of God, made manifest in Christ and that they may participate in this divine sonship through the power of the Holy Spirit, because this is the will of the Lord: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (Jn. 10:10). Praying that the Kingdom of God may come into the hearts of all men, praying for the missionaries and the success of their service, praying for all men to open their hearts to the grace of the Holy Spirit...these are all intentions that come forth from someone that loves and values the mission. In the Holy Father’s words, “may prayer be intensified ever more in the Christian people, the essential spiritual means for spreading among all peoples the light of Christ” (ibid.).
The second aspect that the Holy Father refers to is sacrifice. It is not a popular word in this society in search of comfort and pleasure. When one’s entire existence centers on “enjoying life” in the material sense of the word, he cannot stand to hear anything about sacrifice. Too often, as Christians we forget about the Cross of Jesus Christ and anyone who tries to fix their gaze on the Crucifix is accused of a being “extremist.” Saint Paul, however, wished nothing more than to know Christ, and Christ crucified (1 Cor. 2:2) and pointed out that “many live as enemies of the Cross of Christ” (Phil. 3:18). It would be a serious error to forget the fact that sacrifice for love of Christ, in union with Him, leads us to enter into the mystery of the communion of saints and makes us participants in the work of Redemption. Only God can determine how many conversations and graces poured out to the missions have been the result of penance and sacrifices done by many people, anonymous to the outside world...simple people, cloistered nuns like Saint Therese of Lisieux, who offer their pains and difficulties to God every day!
Lastly, Benedict XVI mentions material help. We should always look to the example of the poor widow of the Gospel: she gave what she herself needed to live on. No one can make the excuse that they have nothing to offer their brethren in need. Many time, the abundance of material goods leads to a sort of indifference towards others or remaining satisfied with a very small contribution. We should always keep in mind what the Church asks regarding giving 10%. In the Biblical tradition, this custom has entered into the tradition of almsgiving. Whether it is a lot or a little, we can all give something.
Thanks be to God, there are many forms of volunteer services, where in a spirit of supernatural charity many people can perform services in cooperation with the missions during their times of vacation, dedicating the best of their time and talent to manifesting the love of God to others, whether it be in offering assistance, health care services, or in evangelization.
May the Virgin Mary, Our Lady of the Rosary, Saint Paul, and Saint Teresa of Lisieux intercede for us, to that this missionary love and commitment may grow in the hearts of all the faithful. In short, the mission is a question of love.
Let us pray, as well, that the Pontifical Missionary Societies may be able to continue their service of bringing the Gospel to the remotest corners of the earth, with ever greater generosity, as they “are a valid instrument for animating and forming the People of God from a missionary viewpoint, and they nurture the communion of persons and goods between the different parts of the Mystical Body of Christ” (ibid.). (Agenzia Fides 26/9/2008)
