The various Challenges for the mission in the present day context

Gospel Thoughts

29th Week : Sunday

GOSPEL Matthew 22:15-21

First Reading - Is  45:1, 4-6

Second Reading 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5

The various Challenges for the mission in the present day context

1) Mission Sunday is to know about the Mission

The celebration of the Mission Sunday is primarily to know the mission commandment of the Lord and our response and responsibility towards the mission 

The Lords mission is a continuous process. It does not stop at any time. 

Today the same mission is given to me. If so what is my responsibility towards the mission?

2) The present day situation

The liturgy of the day calls us to reflect about the various challenges and issues which come across in our missions. 

*A) People who create a plot to entrap Jesus*

*The Pharisees went off and plotted how they might entrap Jesus in speech.*

This is the biggest challenge we have today in our mission context 

The recent best example for this could be the arrest of Fr Stan, who has been falsely accused for his great missionary work 

In our context these types of activities are becoming very powerful and which is really a great challenge for the mission work today 

Such groups of Pharisees are in and around us who always create a plot to accuse falsely those who are doing great liberation/mission work.

*B) The question of paying taxes/issue of money in mission activities*

People those who were Herodians, were of the opinion that, paying taxes to the govt is right. 

We have no issues paying taxes to the govt today. In fact Jesus says, *give to the emperor what belongs to Him*

But today Govt has new regulations regarding the money spent for mission work 

The issue of FCRA is facing lots of challenges

The amount of Tax we have to pay to the govt for any of our works/services is also another issue.

The control over the income from various sources, also an another issue. 

These and other similar regulations on various resources are real challenges to all of us in our mission work today

*C)  The question of paying taxes to the temple* 

Indirectly the Gospel of the day mentions this issue.

The Pharisees were of the opinion that paying taxes to the temple is right and it is needed. 

Today on our churches money has become a biggest issue of creating so many problems

Many people are questioning about this issue. *Why church needs money*

This perticular issue has become a biggest challenge for the mission today

At times these issues have become to bear counter witness and scandal to the mission of Christ 

How do we address this issue. 

Has our mission work suffered because of these issues? 

*D) The issue of Slavery*

The first reading of the day speaks about the slavery and bondage of Israelites in Babylon

As long as one is in bondage and slavery one is curtailed from doing the mission work 

Slavery and bandage become a greatest challenge for the mission work even today

Today we experience various kinds of slavery and bondage in our surroundings.

The bondage of false accusations

The bondage of religious intolerance

The bondage of targeting one perticular religion for its good works 

The bondage of curtailing freedom of doing various good work, which liberate the people of  lower sections of the society

Bondage of injustice, corruption, denying the fundamental rights are some of the burning issues which really a threat to our mission work today 

3) Challenges should make us strong in our mission work

Why these challenges should make us strong in our mission? Reasons are below 

*A) God raised King Sirus, a pagan King to deliver the people from the bondage.*

This shows God's ways are different and mysterious. No one can challenge Gods work. This should give us special strength to recommit ourselves to the Mission of the Lord

*B) Give to the Emperor what belongs to Him.*

As a responsible citizens let's pay what belongs to the govt and at the same time we need to be vigilant in dealing with money and other things 

*C) Give to God what belongs to God*

We have the responsibility towards God and His Holy Temple. Let's do that 

All baptised have the responsibility of the mission, supporting the mission in different ways. So let's support the mission through our prayers, service, and through our resources

Faith, trust, hope, courage belong to God. Let's practice these virtues in our mission so as to give to God what belongs to God. 

4) Various people who come to help in our missions

*The unknown people*

The unknown pagan king - King Sirus. Like this king let's also acknowledge the service and efforts of those unknown people of Christ. Because they are chosen and sent by God, to support our mission 

*Gods chosen ones*

The chosen and anointed people : Paul, Silvanus, Thimothy, (Second Reading) 

Listen and respect the anointed people of God who are involved in the missions

*Holy Spirit*

It is through the Holy Spirit who empowered the apostles and disciples for mission work 

Today Holy Spirit is our source of inspection and courage for our mission 

*Presence of Christ*

Go and proclaim the good news. I will be with you till the end (Mathew 28:19)

The presence of Jesus in Blessed Sacrament is another powerful symbol of Jesus who empowers us in our mission 

5) St Theresa of Lisieux

 She is the patron saint of missionaries, and mission 

She involved herself actively not by doing so many activities‌, but by her strong prayer life. 

Through prayer we can become great missionaries, wherever we may be. 

*Pray for the mission and missionaries.*

HAPPY MISSION SUNDAY

God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones

Fr Maxim Dsouza

Jeppu Seminary

Mangalore