By Sr. Teresa Joseph, FMA –
In the evening, on 26th October, the commentator of the Parish Community of St. Peter’s Church, Bandra, Mumbai; read the introduction clearly and loudly: The, 30th Sunday of the Year is the Last Sunday of the Extraordinary Missionary Month, October 2019. We have received much by way of inputs on new evangelization, missionary methods etc. Confirm us Lord, as Life- Long missionaries. Within a few seconds, the Celebrant explored on what it means to be life-long missionaries: Today, after Vatican II, it indicates to be open to members of other religions, to discover the rays of truth present among them, to grow in holiness and to be sensitive to Eco-spirituality, to uphold the dignity of all especially women.
To Burn With Charity
“Like his model, the Lord Jesus, the good missionary burns with charity, and he numbers even the most abandoned unbelievers among God’s children, redeemed like everyone else with the ransom of the divine blood” (Apostolic Letter Maximum Illud of Benedict XV, no. 28). Burning with charity becomes a reality in the measure in which the good missionary focuses his/her mind and heart on the Lord Jesus.
The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me
Jesus, the missionary of the Father was well aware of His mission: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free” (Lk 4: 18). The Spirit of the Lord is up on you and me and we are strengthened by the Word and the Sacraments to continue the mission of Jesus here on earth as we immerse ourselves in the process of becoming Life-long evangelizers.
From a Simple Person to be the Father of Many Nations
When we dwell deep on Abraham our father in faith, we realize with awe and wonder how the loving hands of God led him from a simple person to be the father of many nations. Oh how it all happened will reveal the secret. “No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations” Gn. 17:5. Once Abraham experienced the loving embrace of God, he just kept trusting and was able to see miracles unfolding before his eyes. How very often you and I come across men and women who with their simple and humble Yes to the Lord have become fathers and mothers of dedication and commitment.
The Blessing of the Lord Was on Everything
The ways of God are so loving and yet so mysterious. At any time of our life, He can lovingly choose us and commission us to become a blessing. Thanks to Joseph the Blessing of the Lord was on everything. How amazing it is to know how Joseph became a blessing: From the time Potiphar “put him in charge of his household and of all that he owned, the Lord blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph. The blessing of the Lord was on everything Potiphar had, both in the house and in the field” (Gen 39:5). Any mission, any ministry we embrace with loving responsibility can become a source of blessing on everyone and everything that is entrusted to us. Your and my constant effort to bless even those who curse us can gradually make them too to become a blessing.
Transforming Our Lives into Blessing
Symbols speak louder than words. Jesus often used symbols to communicate powerful messages. Today, we turn to the Gospel of St. Luke chapter 13 verses 18-21. To illustrate what is the Kingdom of God like?, Jesus brings in the parable of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast: two life giving symbols. The tiny mustard seed which a man took and planted in his garden, grows and becomes a tree and the birds rest on its branches. The little portion of yeast that a woman took and mixed into the flour worked all through the dough. It is truly astonishing and at the same time thought provoking. Can the symbols of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast offer us insights on becoming life-long evangelizers? What about transforming our lives into Blessing?
Partners with God and Missionaries after the Heart of Jesus
The parable of the Mustard Seed and Yeast is a strong reminder that we are partners with God. We are committed to the cause of God’s Kingdom, in the process of furthering the growth of love, peace and justice. Being missionaries after the heart of Jesus, no matter what we are, where ever we are, you and I can become a Blessing in our families, in our communities and in our places of ministry.
Dancing into Daily life with the Blessed Trinity
Early mystics portrayed God’s inner life a s a dance, a circle dance. They believed and felt that the persons in the Blessed Trinity are celebrating their divine life, dancing together! It is a dance to which all of us made in the image and likeness of God are invited. Once again cherishing the prophetic words of Pope Francis: “The missionary mandate touches us personally: I am a Mission, always; you are a mission; always; every baptized man and woman is a mission” we gratefully say bye to the extraordinary month of the missions and dance into daily life with a prayer on our lips: Lord Confirm us as Life-Long Evangelizers, may we be your blessing to our brothers and sisters whom we encounter on life’s journey.
Sr Teresa Joseph, FMA is a Salesian Sister of the Bombay Province. She holds a masters degree in Science of Education with specialization in Catechetics from Auxilium Rome and a PhD in Missiology with specialization in Inter-religious Studies from the Gregorian University Rome.
Sr Teresa is a freelance writer and contributes articles for various journals in India and abroad. Her recent publications include Dream Big Dream True and Family of Truth: The Liminal Context of Inter-Religious Dialogue. She has launched and co-edited an animation book for the family titled Stay Connected in the Circle of Love (2007).