Dear Friends,
We are still in chapter 10 of Luke’s Gospel this weekend. Jesus tells the parable of the Good Samaritan to re-orient the thinking of a scholar of the law as to what is required for eternal life. We are to treat one another as God treats us, with love and mercy.
Which allows me to hearken back a few verses earlier in chapter 10, those that we heard last weekend. Jesus appointing the seventy-two to go in pairs to the towns He plans to visit, preparing His way. You see these seventy-two represent all the Baptized. Each and every one of us is appointed by Jesus. For what? To go forth on mission ~ to be missionary disciples of the Lord. It’s not an option but a requirement. Perhaps not one we have given much thought to.
Somewhere along the line, we began thinking of missionaries only as those who leave home and go to foreign lands. We also tend to think of them as primarily priests, nuns, and brothers. But Jesus’ plan and design are much broader and larger.
Baptism and Confirmation confer on us His appointment to be on mission. The Gospel is not simply for our personal edification or personal spiritual growth. It certainly is for that but ultimately the Gospel is to be shared person to person in everyday living. How can we keep this life-giving and life-changing Good News to ourselves?
Jesus isn’t sending us unprepared. He explains what we need, and what we need to do. First of all, pray! Everything must begin, continue, and end in prayer. Praying for more laborers, more missionary disciples, on fire for the Lord. Praying for those we encounter in our daily lives, those we live with or work with, those we are trying to witness to, those who are in need. Nothing can be achieved in the Church or in this world for good without prayer. Soaking prayer, intercessory prayer, personal prayer, communal prayer.
Jesus directs us to extend His peace to others. When we offer His peace to another, if the person is peaceful, it will rest on them. If not, it will return to us. We cannot change another, but we can remain in Christ’s peace ourselves, offering it to all we meet. Whatever the reaction of the other, it is on them as everyone has free will.
Jesus finally tells us to heal the sick and to tell all that the kingdom of God is at hand for you. Now only Jesus can heal but we are the ones who bring the sick to Him, pray for them, pray with them, accompany them on their journey and in their need. We are cooperators then with God’s grace. The ordinary way that Jesus heals is through the Sacraments, especially Confession, Communion, and Anointing of the Sick.
And when we tell others that the kingdom of God is at hand, we are telling them about Jesus, in whom is the perfect marriage of our humanity with His divinity, the Savior who redeemed us, the great hope of all humanity, the One who loves us beyond sin and death into the fulness of life.
So, you see, we do not need to be theologians or trained catechists. We need an open mind of faith, a spirit that trusts, a heart that loves like Jesus loves. Saint Francis de Sales authored the words, “You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.” [Words Ben Franklin quoted in his Poor Richard’s Almanac.] And when the honey we are offering is the fruit of our personal relationship with Jesus, how many will be caught up into the extended arms of our Lord to be fully embraced by Him.
Making Missionary disciples ~ is our first thematic goal or purpose from our Envisioning Team as we Focus on Our Future. What is the purpose of our parish? To serve God, serve others and make disciples in our community. How? Being Joyful, All In, and Contagiously Faithful. Our anchors (our foundations)? Offering a “welcoming and hospitable environment, fellowship that develops authentic community, and friendship leading to discipleship.”
Friendship leading to discipleship is our joyful task because Jesus has appointed us for mission! Let us go forward in great trust and hope!
God bless you, God love you,
Monsignor McCulken
