Fr. Joeven Matugas sx
October 22, 2023 – WORLD MISSION SUNDAY
Today the whole Catholic Church celebrates the World Mission Sunday.
Every year the 3rd Sunday of October is dedicated to the work of the mission, the work of evangelization.
As Catholic Christians we are all reminded of our duty as evangelizers and proclaimers of the Word and witness Christ Love for all humanity. It is also a renewal of our missionary desire that all of us baptized Christians are called to.
In a special way, we pray for all the missionaries in foreign land both religious and consecrated lay people and support them with financial aid.
It is our hearts desire to love the Lord. It is also heart’s desire to preach his name. The Holy Father, Pope Francis, chose the theme of this year celebration “hearts on fire, feet on the move”. It is taken from the story of the two disciples on the Road to Emmaus. While the two were walking on the road talking, the risen Lord appeared to them and he opened their minds to the scriptures. From there, their hearts were moved and they had the desire and enthusiasm to return back to Jerusalem to proclaim the good news of the risen Lord (Luke 23:13-35).
The work of evangelization in the foreign land is very demanding and challenging. The missionaries faced up with various struggles and difficulties in meeting up people and situations. However, this is the vulnerability of the missioners. The people who gave their lives for the mission. The people who free their souls for God. Pope Francis encouraged the missionaries not to be disoriented, disheartened and frightened. The world needs the love of God. The world needs to encounter Christ and believed in Him. Because the Lord walks with them in their journey. The hope overwhelms them. Jesus has conquered the world.
The Holy Father also emphasizes that Evangelization is essentially witness. Witnessing the beauty of the Love of God that has looked upon us and lifted us. Whether we are in a home country or in a foreign land, as Christians we have to share our joy and our faith to others without converting them to become Catholic Christians. Our task and duty is to announce the Good News of Jesus Christ and his Love. I shared the thoughts of the new Cardinal Stephen Chow of Hong Kong when he was interviewed and asked the question, how to evangelize China today? He said, Evangelization in China today should focus in communicating the love of God “without the agenda of turning them into Catholics”.
October 22, 2023 – WORLD MISSION SUNDAY
Today the whole Catholic Church celebrates the World Mission Sunday.
Every year the 3rd Sunday of October is dedicated to the work of the mission, the work of evangelization.
As Catholic Christians we are all reminded of our duty as evangelizers and proclaimers of the Word and witness Christ Love for all humanity. It is also a renewal of our missionary desire that all of us baptized Christians are called to.
In a special way, we pray for all the missionaries in foreign land both religious and consecrated lay people and support them with financial aid.
It is our hearts desire to love the Lord. It is also heart’s desire to preach his name. The Holy Father, Pope Francis, chose the theme of this year celebration “hearts on fire, feet on the move”. It is taken from the story of the two disciples on the Road to Emmaus. While the two were walking on the road talking, the risen Lord appeared to them and he opened their minds to the scriptures. From there, their hearts were moved and they had the desire and enthusiasm to return back to Jerusalem to proclaim the good news of the risen Lord (Luke 23:13-35).
The work of evangelization in the foreign land is very demanding and challenging. The missionaries faced up with various struggles and difficulties in meeting up people and situations. However, this is the vulnerability of the missioners. The people who gave their lives for the mission. The people who free their souls for God. Pope Francis encouraged the missionaries not to be disoriented, disheartened and frightened. The world needs the love of God. The world needs to encounter Christ and believed in Him. Because the Lord walks with them in their journey. The hope overwhelms them. Jesus has conquered the world.
The Holy Father also emphasizes that Evangelization is essentially witness. Witnessing the beauty of the Love of God that has looked upon us and lifted us. Whether we are in a home country or in a foreign land, as Christians we have to share our joy and our faith to others without converting them to become Catholic Christians. Our task and duty is to announce the Good News of Jesus Christ and his Love. I shared the thoughts of the new Cardinal Stephen Chow of Hong Kong when he was interviewed and asked the question, how to evangelize China today? He said, Evangelization in China today should focus in communicating the love of God “without the agenda of turning them into Catholics”.