In the readings this Sunday we reflect on the theme of mission. In the Gospel account from St. Mark, we hear how John the disciple questions Jesus about the man who was driving out demons in his name. Jesus reacts however, “You must not stop him; no one who works a miracle in my name could soon afterwards speak evil of me”, and says firmly that whoever is not against him is for him. There is a parallel here with the first reading from the book of Numbers, where Moses reacts hastily to Joshua and rebukes him when told of the two elders who were also prophesying “If only the whole people of the Lord were prophets, and the Lord gave his Spirit to them all’.
In the time of Jesus prophets were those who spoke out in God’s name, showing the people the way to the Lord. Missionaries are modern day prophets are those who give witness to God by their word and example. Jesus set out the criteria for being a true missionary, and his teaching remains steadfast today. Just as he placed himself on the side of the weak and vulnerable we are invited to do likewise – welcoming ‘the little one’ and serving them. It is the small and often invisible things we do for others which distinguish us as true missionaries or followers of Christ. Living our faith in the spirit of Jesus is about putting others and their needs first. As Jesus himself said ‘If anyone gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, then in truth I tell you, he will most certainly not lose his reward.”
The missionary reaches out in total confidence and love in service of others. Our ‘mission’ is to love, a journey that begins in our own hearts. As Christians we are all missionaries because when we experience God’s love – revealed in the life and words of Jesus, we have a duty to share this gift of faith with others. We can look to the example of Saint Therese of Lisieux, patron of the missions, whose feast day we celebrate tomorrow. Although she never actually went on mission herself – spending most of her life in the enclosed Carmelite convent, Saint Therese had a special love of the missions. Through her life of prayer and service to God she interceded in total confidence and love for the multitude of those who do not know Christ, bringing them to Him.
October is mission month. We remember in prayer and thank God for our missionaries and for the people among whom they work. We remember that it is through the little things that we can build the kingdom of God. As Pope Benedict XVI says in his message for Mission Sunday, “Faith is a gift that is given to us to be shared. It is a talent received so that it may bear fruit. It is a light that must never be hidden”.
