29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

October 18, 2009

World Mission Sunday
Is 53:10-11
Heb 4:14-16
Mk 10: 35-45

Bearer of God’s Love

Mission Sunday is a time when we remember, in a special way, those who have taken to heart Christ’s call to make disciples of all nations.  They have left their native land, their family and friends and have gone to foreign lands to plant the faith among the great masses who know nothing about Christ.  It is not easy to be an exile, a stranger constantly adapting to the ways, culture and language of another country.  Living conditions are often primitive – a shanty hut without running water or electricity.  It is easy to despair when the hot climate becomes unbearable and leave the preacher’s weary body with little resistance to disease.   Without our support, generosity and prayers it would not be possible for missionaries to carry on the good works which they are doing.  What encourages them most is the sure knowledge that their home church is fully interested in their apostolic endeavor to preach and to teach the Word of God and be bearers of the Good News.  In many mission countries the local church is still very poor and unable to survive without help from outside.  People in these countries differ from us in color and culture, but they are our brothers and sisters in Christ who depend on our aid.

A Sunday like this is also intended to remind us that to be a missionary you do not have to travel away from home.  There is no place on earth where the church is not missionary because every parish, home, work place is a mission field.  There are neglected corners in our own community where the Good News needs spreading.  In this mission field so close to home we are all chosen, by virtue of baptism, to be active.  It is a duty and obligation entrusted to every generation of believers by Christ the Lord.  Our task is to make everyone aware of the need for salvation by the witness of a good life, because those who are searching for truth are more impressed by what we are than by what we profess to be.  Since we bear silent witness by our lives, it is important to get our own house in order as this may be the only book of the gospel open for people to read.  “Let me preach to you without preaching, not by my words but by my example.”  (Cardinal Newman)

Let us ask God to make our faith strong enough so that we may be eager to share it with others.  Be a missionary!  Be a bearer of God’s love.


Fr. Rodel Abanto, SVD
San Quintin Parish
San Quintin, Abra