“Go teach all nations all things that I have commanded you.” These words of Our Divine Savior remind us of the share that all Christians have in the mission of Jesus.
When Our Lord read from the prophecy of Isaiah at his first public appearance in the synagogue at Nazareth, He quoted: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me. He has anointed me. He has sent me to bring good news to the poor, release of captives, recovering of sight for the blind, and to announce a year of favor from the Lord.”
Then He said, “Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your midst.”
Missionary of the Father
He is telling us that He is the missionary of the Father, sent into the world to work out redemption for us. He spent the next three years sharing with us the infinite love, infinite compassion, and infinite forgiveness of God for all.
This mission was ratified on the cross on Good Friday by His ignominious suffering and death. After he rose from the grave on Easter Sunday and before ascending into heaven, He shared His mission with all believers:
“As the Father has sent me, so I also send you.”
“Go teach all nations all things that I have commanded you.”
“I will be with you all the days, even until the end of the earth.”
“He who hears you, hears me.”
“You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth.”
We have the same mission
Our baptism incorporates us into Christ. As Christians, our mission is the same as the mission He received from the Father.
We, too, are sent to bring good news to the poor to the ends of the earth. The Church established by Christ has fervently fulfilled this mission through the centuries.
Peter and Paul died in Rome for their faith. James went to Spain. Thomas went to India. Early Christians died for the faith in great numbers. Christians are suffering for their faith in many parts of the world today.
The Second Vatican Council in Ad Gentes reminds us that the Church is missionary by its very nature.
Mission is the greatest and holiest work of the Church. Pope Paul VI in Evangelii Nuntiandi tells us that the world needs witnesses as well as teachers.
Blessed Pope John Paul II said that we are a “sick and incomplete Church” if we are not missionary. He stresses this urgently in Redemptoris Missio. In letters for World Mission Sundays, our late Holy Father urged us to “Be not afraid. Open wide the doors for Christ.” “Christ is a missionary. So are you.”
Our present Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, continues this urgent call for a new evangelization. In Porta Fidei, he encourages us to celebrate our faith with a new enthusiasm.
He reminds us, “The charity of Christ urges us. It is the love of Christ that fills our hearts and impels us to evangelize. Today, as in the past, he sends us through the highways of the world to proclaim his Gospel to all peoples of the earth (cf. Mt. 28:19).
“Through His love, Jesus Christ attracts to himself people of every generation: in every age He convokes the Church, entrusting her with the proclamation of the Gospel by a mandate that is ever new. In rediscovering His love day by day, the missionary commitment of believers attains force and vigor that can never fade away,” says Pope Benedict XVI.
Observing World Mission Sunday
As we observe World Mission Sunday on October 21, may we remember and accept our responsibility as missioners sent by the Father and Our Savior. Love must be the basic motive for missionary activity. This means living out the commandment of love given to us by Our Lord at the Last Supper.
To love is to share. Can we forget our brothers and sisters waiting in darkness? World Mission Sunday helps us understand and accept responsibility for the needs of over a thousand mission areas and dioceses around the world.
We are called to offer prayers and sufferings for the welfare of these missions. Our financial help is also critical. What shall we share at this special time?
Do we remember the countless blessings that we enjoy? Are we filled with gratitude for these gifts from Almighty God? Mother Teresa told us that it should be a sacrifice that we can truly feel.
Pray that World Mission Sunday this year will make a real difference for millions of our brothers and sisters in mission lands who are still waiting for the light of God’s message.
Msgr. Delbert Schmelzer is director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith for the Diocese of Madison. Contributions to the Propagation of the Faith may be made at the parish or may be sent to: P.O. Box 44983, Madison, WI 53744-4983.
Msgr. Delbert Schmelzer is director of the Propagation of the Faith for the Diocese of Madison. Contributions to the Propagation of the Faith may be made at the parish or may be sent to: P.O. Box 44983, Madison, WI 53744-4983.