Baptized and Sent

Pope Francis designated October 2019 as the Extraordinary Missionary Month with the theme: "Baptized and Sent". Through Baptism, God has claimed us as His own children. The life we have as baptized is best described by St Paul when he wrote: "I no longer live, but Christ lives in me" (Galatians 2:20).

If Christ lives in us, we ought to share Him with others, especially those who still do not know Him as well as those who reject Him. Sharing Jesus and His Good News is not only the responsibility of the clergy! If we look at our own families, the first missionaries we encountered were our elders - parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. For sure, we would have been taught about the faith by our elders through their words or deeds. We would have learned our first prayers, thanks to our elders.

The Holy Father has often described the Church as "a field hospital" or one that "ventures forth". Through those adjectives, he is insisting that God's People ought to be missionary and not an archive. God's People, having gathered to receive Jesus in Word and Sacrament during Mass, should "[g]o and announce the Gospel of the Lord" (Words of Dismissal, Order of Mass). 

Whatever walk in life we tread, we have a part to contribute in announcing that Gospel. We may not have the gift of gab, but perhaps we have the concern or willingness to help out. Remember, most of the apostles were uneducated men and yet because of their willingness, Jesus chose them for missionary work.

Whatever gift we have, let us use it as Jesus sends us to reach out to others. We may not necessarily go to far-flung areas; the family, neighborhood, or parish we belong to may be our only missionary area. Still, let us go forth. The Gospel on the previous weekend (Luke 16:19-31) is a wake up call for us. God, in adopting us as His children, has endowed us with gifts and opportunities. Let us not waste those gifts, let us not miss those opportunities.  May the Father, "[h]elp us make it possible for all peoples to experience the saving love and mercy of Jesus Christ" (Prayer by Pope Francis for the Extraordinary Missionary Month).