Missionaries at home

ONE Sunday morning after say­ing Mass at the Sacred Heart Church in Kamuning, Quezon City, a couple approached me and warmly greeted: “Father, we’re from this parish. We’re lay missionaries work­ing in Papua New Guinea and we’re on vacation.” Then they related their interesting mission work.

* * *

Nowadays, some renewal com­munities like the Couples for Christ and Lord’s Flock have been do­ing their share of sending their lay members to foreign countries where Christ is not yet or little known.

* * *

Today is WORLD MISSION SUN­DAY. Before ascending to heaven, Jesus Christ said: “Go out into the whole world and proclaim the Good News to every nation” (Mk 16, 15).

* * *

Many have the misconception that spreading God’s Word belongs only to religious missionaries. The truth is: every Christian, by virtue of baptism, IS a missionary and the example of that missionary couple proves this.

* * *

Not all, however, can emulate what the couple have been doing. For most Christians, they can be mis­sionaries at home, whether they’re a teacher, nurse, executive, lawyer or ordinary housewife. What counts is not geography, but the inner spirit or motive that propels a person to follow the words of Christ.

* * *

Remember St. Therese of the Child Jesus? She never stepped out of the four walls of her Carmel­ite cloister but was chosen as the universal Patroness of Catholic Mis­sions. She merited the title because of her obsession to save souls by offering every little act, every bodily pain for the conversion of immortal souls.

* * *

I belong to a religious-missionary congregation, the Society of the Di­vine Word (SVD). When we had to accomplish our “Petitio Missionis” (Application for the Mission) prior to our ordination, I wrote down Mexi­co, Central America. Unfortunately I never got my wish. And the farthest I’ve gone to is Mexico…Pampanga!

* * *

How can we be missionaries at home? Like St. Therese, we can offer prayers and sacrifices for the missions.

We can likewise share our finan­cial resources. Money is necessary for evangelization to succeed. Mission­aries, lay workers, catechists are housed, fed, transported. Churches, schools, convents, social centers are built in underdeveloped and far-flung missions.

* * *

One of the most difficult things to do is to part off with one’s money. Reminds me of a parish priest who was making an impassioned appeal to the parish council for the annual mission collection.

Great was everybody’s surprise when the wealthiest, but miserly member of the council rose and started the collection rolling with a contribution of P500.

* * *

As he stood up to hand in the amount, a mild earthquake took place and some plaster from the ceiling fell and hit him on the head.

A bit shaken, he withdrew the amount and said, “I guess I’d bet­ter make that P5,000.” A small voice from the back of the hall was heard, “Hit him again, Lord.” (It’s not known if he added some more).

* * *

TESTIMONY OF CHRISTIAN LIV­ING. In our modern world, another way of evangelization is by giving testimony of Christian living through good works and inspiring examples.

* * *

For instance, we witness to Jesus by our patience when others annoy us, by our forgiveness when oth­ers wrong us, by our fidelity in an environment of unfaithful couples, by honesty in our workplaces when others are dishonest.

* * *

ASK YOURSELF: Am I contributing something to help the mission work of Christ in the world? Do I pray for more zealous, dedicated missionary vocations?

When I meet the Lord in the next life, can I say: “Lord, I did my share in spreading your teachings and sav­ing souls around me”?

* * *

SUPPORT FUTURE MISSIONAR­IES. In the spirit of World Mission Sunday, how about chipping in or making a monthly pledge for the scholarship of seminarians or future priests and missionaries under our Adopt a Seminarian scholarship pro­gram?

* * *

For further inquiry, e-mail me at: [email protected].

* * *

FAMILY TV MASS – is aired on 5PLUS Channel 59 at 6-7 a.m. ev­ery Sunday and at U-Tube on “The Filipino Catholic” at 8 am; also on in­ternational GMA Pinoy TV. Sponsor: ANDOK’S LITSON CORP., QC, Pre­sider: Rev. Fr. Marvin B. Pajarillaga.

* * *

The FAMILY that prays together stays together.