Missionary Dimensions of Mission Sunday

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Twenty Ninth Week : Sunday*

*Mission Sunday*

*Gospel : Mk 10:35-45 or 10:42-45*

*First Reading : Is 53:10-11*

*Responsorial Psalm : Ps 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 27*

*Second Reading - Heb 4:14-16*

*Missionary Dimensions of Mission Sunday*

*1) Mission Sunday*

The Church celebrates today the Mission Sunday all over the World 

Mission Sunday is an opportunity for us to reflect about the importance of mission, challenges of mission and our Role in the mission 

As a follower of Christ, it is an occasion to reflect about my responsibility towards mission 

*2) Mission and Baptism*

The Gospel of the day speaks about Baptism

All of us have received Baptism 

The primary responsibility towards mission comes from the sacrament of Baptism 

We have received faith in Baptism and we have become the followers of Jesus. That's why we have serious responsibility towards mission 

The Baptism and Mission are the two sides of the same coin, which can't be separated

*3) Mission and Chalice*

Jesus also makes a mention of Chalice in the Gospel. 

Chalice represents the sacrifice, challenges, struggles, persecutions, rejection and all the problems that one will encounter during the mission 

There is no mission without the chalice 

There is no Christ without chalice 

There is no Christian spirituality without chalice 

That's why Jesus is asking us *Can you drink the cup that I drink?*

*4) Mission and Service*

The Gospel of the day speaks highly about the service 

The primary purpose of the mission is service. Jesus himself came to serve others. That was his primary mission 

As followers of Jesus service must be the primary purpose of our mission

Mission is closely linked with mission. If there is no service, then there is no mission 

*5) Mission and Unity*

The Gospel also speaks about the division among the disciples and the need of unity among themselves 

Only with unity the mission can be successful. With division the mission suffers 

So Jesus tells them to unite themselves for the effective mission. 

If some one is really interested in mission, then unity among ourselves should be strengthened at all level, which will boast the mission activity in building the Kingdom of God 

*6) Mission and Power, Position*

There is a tussle for power and position among the disciples, presented in today's Gospel

The two are aiming at important positions in so called Jesus' Kingdom with power

This worldly attitude didn't go well with Jesus' Kingdom. That is why Jesus says *they don't know what they are asking*

In mission there is no room for power and position 

The power and position is given by God for mission and not vice versa

Power and position has no place in the mission if they are used for personal gains, name and for personal glory 

*7) My Mission*

As we celebrate the mission Sunday what is my mission in building the kingdom of God? 

Is it only contributing little amount?

What are the other areas in which my mission for the Lord involves? 

Do I really involve myself in the mission of the Lord, in building God's Kingdom?

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*