World Mission Sunday

Today marks World Mission Sunday, a designated observance that highlights Christ’s directive known as the Great Commission. According to Mark 16:15, all baptized individuals are called to “go out into the whole world and proclaim the good news.”

This initiative was established by Pope Pius XI in 1926 to emphasize the importance of prayer and support for missions globally. The mission of Christ must be propagated, and while not everyone can participate directly in mission work, contributing to the advancement of Christ’s mission is essential.

This day provides an opportune moment for all individuals to express solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Christ who reside on the margins, facing challenges such as poverty, violence, oppression, and intimidation.

The theme for this year’s World Mission Sunday is “Go and invite everyone to the banquet” (Matthew 22:9). This biblical passage reflects God’s profound love for humanity, encompassing our joys, sufferings, hopes, and concerns.

Our participation in the mission of the Lord mirrors the actions of the apostles; thus, it is imperative not to keep this mission to ourselves but to disseminate it wherever we may go. One cannot share what one does not possess; hence, if one has received this message, it must be shared.

This sentiment also serves as a reminder that those who have encountered the good news require continual re-evangelization to appreciate the gift of God’s love and the urgency to convey the message of peace and joy found in the gospel of salvation.

The ongoing war between Israel and the Palestinian people, remains a focal point in the news. The establishment of the State of Israel post-World War II facilitated the return of many Jews to their ancestral land after enduring nearly two millennia of diaspora. This narrative is deeply rooted in their history, akin to the Biblical account of their exile and liberation from Egypt under the leadership of Moses. In the Old Testament, particularly through the voices of Prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah, God communicates to the Jewish people who find themselves again in a state of exile—this time in Babylon during the sixth century BCE.

The prophets acted as sentinels, announcing the return of Israel to the Promised Land. In the book of Jeremiah, the prophet envisions a procession of returnees: “the blind and the lame, women with child, women in labor, a great company returning here… I will guide them to streams of water, by a smooth path where they will not stumble.”

The return from exile to Israel is a significant event for the Jewish people, as it is only in the Promised Land that they truly feel at home. Although prayers can be recited by the rivers of Babylon, the restoration of their Temple is inherently tied to Jerusalem. The offering of sacrifices and the functioning of the High Priesthood are contingent upon the land bestowed by God to His people.

Consequently, the Jewish people have historically understood the feeling of exile and alienation—a profound sense of not belonging and an ardent desire to return home. Multiple passages in the Old Testament urge the Jews to be mindful of “the stranger in their midst” and to extend compassion to foreigners, as they are acutely aware of what it means to live as outsiders. Many will find resonance in this experience, particularly those who have worked as missionaries or in professions away from home, experiencing feelings of alienation and longing.

What implications does this have for Christians today? This calls for a substantial shift in perspective. In Christianity, geographic location holds relatively less significance. As expressed by Saint Paul, “Our home is in heaven.” While individuals may have a hometown or cherished holy sites—such as Rome, Jerusalem, Lourdes, and Fatima—where they seek to experience a closer connection to God, the fundamental truth remains that true belonging is with the Lord.

The cognitive transition required involves recognizing that our earthly homes and countries are merely temporary waypoints on our journey to heaven. The human instinct to establish a comfortable and aesthetically pleasing home often leads to considerable investment in creating a personal sanctuary. However, enduring happiness and fulfillment can ultimately be discovered only in communion with God.

The early Christian Church engaged in profound contemplation regarding the reinterpretation of Jewish concepts of the Temple and Priesthood, which were historically linked to specific locations. In contrast, Christianity espouses a universal perspective, projecting itself toward the future rather than dwelling on the past.

Let us therefore focus on performing our responsibilities to the best of our abilities, entrusting the results to divine wisdom.

Fr Joseph Osho