If we focus our lives on Jesus with hope and trust we will always be able to find Him
Reflections on the readings for World Mission Sunday, the Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time (October 21, 2018): IS 53:10-11; PS 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22; HEB 4:14-16; MK 10:35-45
MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
Jesus wants us to have complete conviction in Him, knowing that we can entrust ourselves to His goodness, leadership and comprehension of all our needs.
He is the Son of God, but He is also human. “We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin. So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help” (Hebrews 4:15-16).
It is so much easier for us to have hope in Christ and all He offers us because we can so readily see that He experienced all the everyday difficulties that we have known. His body knew hunger and thirst when He spent 40 days in the desert. His heart knew sorrow when His friends let Him down, when a loved one died. And His mind and soul knew temptation. But, unlike us, He never gave in. Our loving Jesus is anxious to share His strength and mercy with us so that we can grow firmer in our faith as we draw ever closer to Him. We are not alone. We are part of the Church, and Christ lives in all who claim Him for their own. We can use the gifts of grace – the Sacraments – to open ourselves to Him more and more over the course of life.
Suggested missionary action: On this World Mission Sunday, as we participate in the Sacrament of the Eucharist, we direct our thoughts to those half a world away who join in this celebration of the Missions. Let us, throughout this week, offer daily prayer for those who share Jesus’ strength and mercy with those in greatest need. Let us, today, contribute our financial help, as we are able, so that priests, religious and lay leaders in the Mission Church can help children and families, in Jesus’ name. Let us, everyday, remember and treasure the hope we have in Christ.
October is Mission Month.
World Mission Sunday is October 21.
Be a voice for mission with MISSIO.
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