Baptised and Sent

Zech. 8:20-23, Rom. 10:9-18, Mk 16:15-20.
On this Twenty Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C, we celebrate the "World Mission Sunday", with the theme: “Baptised and Sent: The Church of Christ on Mission in the World”. Hence, October 2019 is set by Pope Francis as an "Extraordinary Mission Month" to foster greater awareness of “Mission ad Gentes”, Mission to all people(s-remove). The date was chosen in commemoration to the 100th anniversary of Pope Benedict XV’s 1919 Apostolic Letter on mission, "Maximum Illud." Today's second reading challenges us to make ourselves available for mission, so that, "Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved. But how are men to call upon him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him in whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher? And how can men preach unless they are sent?"

Each one of us, is called to reflect on the fact that "I am a mission always; you are a mission, always,” which is why we are here in this world. As a mandate from today's Gospel, we are challenged to take the opportunity of our call to revitalize our ardor, passion and zeal for the faith with loving 'Missionary hearts'. To be missionaries, we have to “go forth.” God is calling us today to be the next Francis Xavier to leave the comfort of our home or be like many who go to mission by giving in support of those on mission. We may even be like Francis of Assisi who gave to mission by giving and leaving his comfort to help the poor. God created us to be Saints; to do some special tasks no one else can do. The Church needs men and women who are willing to live their faith radically and heroically and carry the Gospel into every corner of the earth.

May the Lord continue to send more labourers to His Vineyard and grant us a generous heart! Amen!! Good morning and happy Sunday!!!