World Mission Sunday
Isaiah 45:1, 4–6; Psalm 96; 1 Thessalonians 1:1–5; Matthew 22:15–21
What is My Mission?
Dear friends, today is the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time. As the third Sunday of October, the Church also celebrates World Mission Sunday.
The Catholic Church understands mission as participation in the mission of the Triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—to bring salvation to humanity and to communicate God’s love to all peoples through Jesus Christ. Today, we are reminded of our call, through Baptism, to participate in the mission of the Church: bringing Christ to all people. We also pray for missionaries working throughout the world.
As a missionary myself, this day invites me to reflect on my mission. I would also like to thank all of you who have supported my digital ministry over the past six years through your prayers and encouraging comments. Your support keeps me going with this special ministry.
God does not create anyone by accident, regardless of the circumstances of their conception. Every human being has a God-given purpose and unique gifts to share with the world. Consider our fingerprints: each person has a unique pattern. Similarly, each of us has something unique to contribute to the world. Through Baptism, we become participants in Christ’s mission of bringing salvation to the world.
The late Pastor Myles Munroe wrote in his book Release Your Potential that each of us is born with a key to open a particular door in the world. If we die without opening that door, the world may never benefit from what lies behind it. In other words, we are born with the potential that must be activated to benefit the world. Have you activated your potential?
Today, we are invited to examine whether we are faithfully carrying out the mission God has entrusted to us. As a parent, are you raising your children according to God’s will? As a religious leader, are you serving as Jesus did? As a teacher, are you committed to transforming your students’ lives? As a service provider, do you perform your duties with dignity and respect? As a political leader, do you use your position to promote peace, justice, and development of the people?
If you are fulfilling your mission, today you can celebrate your vocation as a true missionary. If you are falling short, today is an opportunity to change and begin doing what is right. Remember, being a missionary is not limited to those who travel to distant countries.
In the first reading, we hear how God used Cyrus, the foreign king of Persia, to liberate His people, Israel. This reminds us that God can work through unexpected people, including foreigners, to accomplish His purposes. His blessings may come from unexpected sources. Sometimes, even those who challenge or discourage us can help us evaluate our commitment and deepen our dedication. Those who appear to hold us back may, in fact, be depending on us to move forward. If we give up, they too may fall.
In the second reading, St. Paul praises the Church in Thessalonica for its steadfast faith. He recognizes that the people have not merely heard the Word of God but have also put it into practice. We, too, are called to be doers, not merely hearers, of the Word. God’s Word should transform us and, through us, transform those around us.
Otherwise, we become like stones in a river: water flows over them for years, yet they remain dirty and slippery. In the same way, hearing God’s Word repeatedly is not enough if we refuse to let it change our lives.
In today’s Gospel, the Pharisees join forces with the Herodians to trap Jesus. Although these groups had different interests, they found common ground in their opposition to Him. Jesus’ teaching challenged established religious and political systems that often worked to the disadvantage of ordinary people. They therefore devised what seemed to be a perfect trap to stop him.
First, they flattered Jesus to gain His attention. Then they asked whether it was lawful to pay taxes to Caesar. If Jesus said yes, He risked alienating Jews who resented Roman rule and its heavy taxes. If He said no, they could accuse Him of encouraging disobedience against the Roman authorities.
Dear friends, just as Jesus faced opposition in carrying out His mission, we, too, may encounter people who try to discredit or discourage us. Sometimes, those who oppose us are not strangers, but people close to us. They may twist our words or actions to undermine our efforts. However, we must also examine ourselves, because we can become obstacles to other people’s missions without realizing it.
How do we know? If other people’s achievements make us sad rather than happy, or jealous rather than inspired, we need to examine our hearts. We may be behaving like the Pharisees and Herodians, allowing jealousy and self-interest to prevent others from fulfilling their God-given potential.
In His response, Jesus refuses to be trapped by their political manipulation. He asks, “Whose image is this?” When they answer, “Caesar’s,” He replies, “Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.”
Jesus reminds us that we have responsibilities in the world, but God remains the ultimate source of everything. Our earthly duties must never displace our responsibility to God.
As a missionary, I have learned that no mission can bear fruit unless we are prepared to challenge the evils and injustices in society. Transforming people’s lives is a slow and demanding process. Self-sacrifice, patience, and a spirit of service are essential for anyone called to serve others.
Dear friends, we cannot allow worldly ambitions—fame, wealth, influence, and status—to take control of God’s mission. Our mission must be guided by God’s will, expressed through love, service, and the pursuit of the common good rather than personal gain.
As we celebrate World Mission Sunday, let us ask ourselves: What has God entrusted to me to accomplish during my short life on earth? Am I using my gifts to build others up, or am I becoming an obstacle to their growth? Am I an instrument of God’s mission or an agent of destruction?
May we recognize our God-given mission, remain faithful to it, and help others fulfil theirs.
Blessed Sunday!
Fr. Lawrence Muthee, SVD
