WORLD MISSION MONTH | Invite others to the faith by our example
Reflections on the readings for the Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time (October 16, 2022): EX 17:8-13; PS 121:1-2,3-4,5-6,7-8; 2 TM 3:14-4:2; LK 18:1-8
MISSIO offers “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
In this week before World Mission Sunday, we pray for priests, religious Sisters and Brothers, and lay pastoral leaders...
The Gospel according to St. Luke provides the main reading for this Sunday and offers a parable that urges us to keep praying. Jesus does not want us to give up even when we are tempted to feel tired and discouraged. He tells His disciples about a judge who cares nothing about the law of God or the welfare of people. He is perfectly willing to ignore a poor widow who has brought a case before him asking for justice against her opponent. Doing the right thing does not matter to him, but he does care about saving his own skin. Because the widow will not give up, the judge fears that she will harm him. “The Lord said, ‘Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says. Will not God then secure the right of His chosen ones who call out to Him day and night? Will He be slow to answer them? I tell you, He will see to it that justice is done for them speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?’” (Luke 18:6-8) Christ asks His listeners to compare the dishonest judge with Almighty God who cares about His people, hears our prayers, and sees our problems and hardships. It’s true that God will answer when and how He knows to be best – but He will answer.
Our Savior wants His disciples to persevere in trust. He asks them to think about whether the Son of Man – the Son of God – will find faith when He returns at His Second Coming. Will He discover that those who call themselves His followers really are? Do they emulate His loving obedience to the Father and His mercy for His people? When we stand before Christ, whether at the moment of death or at the Last Judgment, will He recognize us as individuals of faith? Will we not just say we belong to Him, but show that we do? Every day we are called to reveal our faith, hope, and love for Him through our care and compassion for others. And that includes sharing our faith with them. If our belief as Catholics, as Christians, really matters to us, we need to invite others to experience it for themselves through our example. We need to support the efforts of the Church in spreading both the love and the word of Christ through the Missions. Then He will find faith on earth – in our hearts and in the hearts of our brothers and sisters.
In this week before World Mission Sunday, we pray for priests, religious Sisters and Brothers, and lay pastoral leaders throughout the Pope’s missions who continue to invite others to believe in Jesus. Next Sunday, World Mission Sunday, we join them in these efforts, through our prayers and financial help.
For resources for the celebration of World Mission Sunday, visit this website.
