Thirtieth Sunday of the Year, C – October 23, 2016: World Mission Sunday.
Readings: Sir 35:12-14, 16-18; Responsorial Psalm PS 34:2-3, 17-18, 19, 23; 2 Tm 4:6-8, 16-18; Gospel Lk 18:9-14.
Theme: Siding with the Poor in Prayer, Humility, Charity & Mission
In our first reading (Sir 35:12-14, 16-18) today, God makes a preferential option for the poor and vulnerable while stamping his authority to not only defend them but grant their heart's desires. In Catholic theology, preferential option for the poor is a teaching that is based on the Catholic Social Doctrine of the Church which makes a case for all those who are marginalised in society. These include the unborn children, persons with disabilities, the elderly and terminally ill, and victims of injustice and oppression.
The Church Fathers urge the faithful according to their ability to share and dispose of their goods to help others by giving them aid which will enable them to help and develop themselves. (The Church in the Modern World - Gaudium et Spes #69)
We must realise that the earth belongs to everyone, not only to the rich alone (On the Development of Peoples - Populorum Progressio, #23) which is why the poor and vulnerable must always be on our agenda.
The obligation to provide justice for all means that the poor have the single most urgent economic claim on the conscience of the nation (Economic Justice for All, #86). The reading makes the point that God considers the wails or supplications of four category of people namely:
1. The Oppressed: God hears the cry of the oppressed.
2. The Orphan: The Lord is not deaf to the wails of the orphan.
3. The Widow: The widow is heard when she pours out her complaint.
4. The Righteous: The one who serves God willingly is heard because his petition reaches the heavens.
5. The Lowly: The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds for it does not rest till it reaches its goal.
Some biblical texts would include the stranger in that category: “You shall not wrong a sojourner or oppress him, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt. You shall not mistreat any widow or fatherless child. If you do mistreat them, and they cry out to me, I will surely hear their cry, and my wrath will burn, and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives shall become widows and your children fatherless (Exodus 22:21-24). Ben Sirach surmises that the Most High does not delay in responding to the pleas of these category of people because he judges justly and affirms what is right. Saint James calls pursuing this cause pure and unspoilt religion: "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world (James 1:27).
The tax collector in the gospel (Lk 18:9-14) is a metaphor for the humble plea of all those at the margins of society. Christians must imitate the tax collector in humbling themselves before God and committing the oppressed to the care of God while making efforts towards the equitable distribution of resources in the world. In the second reading (2 Tm 4:6-8, 16-18) Saint Paul bears testimony to the fact that although he was weak, the Lord stood by him and gave him strength to preach the gospel to the Gentiles. The Lord surely lifts up the lowly. On World Mission Sunday (WMS), one quote that fascinates me is the motto of the Missionary Society of St. Paul (MSP) popularly known as, Ambassadors of Christ namely: “Some give to the mission by going, some go the mission by giving.” This quotation sets our reflection for WMS in motion.
On this day, our reflection would not be complete if we do not understand what mission is and the various types of mission there are in the Church: (a) What is Mission? Mission is that sacred task entrusted to the Church by the Lord to preach, teach and sanctity the world. Mission takes its roots from the Great Commission Christ entrusted to his apostles and to the Church (Matthew 28:16-20).
(b) Types of Mission: There are two types of mission: mission ad intra and mission ad extra. The former means mission within the Church in terms of preaching and catechesis and engaging Pious Societies in various missionary enterprises, while the latter has to do with engaging in ecumenism with Christians of other faith and dialogue with Muslims.
Catholics are challenged to pray for the missionary activity of the Church and also allow their sons and daughters to take to the priestly and religious life. The evangelising mission of the Church has a universal character. We, the present disciples of Christ must not starve the Church in both intangible and tangible mission.
1. Intangible Mission: Intangible mission also known as spiritual mission constitutes using our gifts and talents to support the work of God. Since God has given us a variety of gifts and talents, all our duties and services ought to channelled towards God's glory (1 Pet 4:10). Intangible mission involves supporting the work of God in kind and in whichever way we can. When parents motivate their children to go into the priestly and religious life, it also amounts to intangible or spiritual mission.
2. Tangible Mission: Tangible or material mission involves doing the work of God through cash donation or building of Churches, schools, hospitals or orphanages. Not all of us can go to the mission as priests or religious yet as members of the laity, our finances can aid the missionary enterprise. This is where the saying: “Some give to the mission by going, some go the mission by giving” makes sense. This is why, today’s World Mission Sunday collection is taken to Rome.
The National Director of Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) in Nigeria, Very Fr. George Ajana during his recent visit to Bauchi diocese noted that we must develop a missionary spirit by supporting the Holy Father, Pope Francis in supplying the needs of the Universal Church which in turn takes care of the needs of local churches around the world.
This call is an imperative to priests, religious and laity in all dioceses of the world. “On this World Mission Sunday, all of us are invited to ‘go out’ as missionary disciples, each generously offering our talents, creativity, wisdom and experience in order to bring the message of God’s tenderness and compassion to the entire human family” Pope Francis stressed in his WMS message. May Mary, the Mother of missions help us to imbibe the missionary spirit of winning the world for Christ. Do not forget - we are called to side with the poor in prayer, humility, charity and mission. Happy Mission Sunday - Have a terrific week!
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