HOMILY FOR THE “WORLD MISSION SUNDAY YEAR B.

 

Isaiah 56:1-6; Psalm 96:1-3.7-10; Romans 10:9-18; Mark 16:15-20.

“WE ARE MISSIONARIES”

By: Rev. Fr. Charles Onyeka Ezejide.

 

·      Today the church celebrates “World Mission Sunday”. A day like this is set aside for us to pray and to reflect on our missionary mandate as a church. We are called to remember that “we are a chosen race, a people set apart” to evangelize and bring the message of Christ to the ends of the earth.

·      We can call ourselves missionaries following from the ‘great commission’ of Jesus to his disciples: “Go make disciples of all nations…” (Matt. 28:20). As disciples of Christ by the virtue of our baptism into Christ and the church. How well have we carried out our missionary mandate?

·      The theme for this year’s celebration is: “We cannot but speak about what we have seen and heard.” (Acts. 4:20) The theme is taken from the acts of the early Christians. We the Christians of today ought to also speak about what we have seen and heard.

·      It is interesting to note that “seen” is positioned before “heard” in this year’s theme. This goes to show that the authentic way to be a missionary is by witnessing. To be witnesses means that our lives must reflect the character of the one who has called us to the mission. When our lives become a reflection of the God of mission, then people can then listen to us.

·      The love, peace, and harmony experienced by the disciples of Jesus during his public ministry made it expedient for them to share and reflect that same love to all who encountered them. We are Christians, let us bring Christ to the world by our word and deed.

·      How can we spread love and the message of Christ if we are not missionaries? Today’s celebration is to wake us up and to invite us to pray that the Lord of the missions sends missionaries into his harvest because “The harvest is rich, but the laborers are few” (Lk. 10:2). 

·      In the first reading (Is. 56:1-6), the Prophet Isaiah reminds us that to be a missionary, we must keep “justice, and righteousness”. These two need to be seen in our lives and work before we can be heard or listened to as Christians. He went on to tell us how beautiful is the feet that bring good news and deep and solemn the worship of real missionaries will be.

·      Friends in Christ, we ought to be true missionaries where foreigners feel welcome among us. The worship of God can then be true and sincere. The command of justice and righteousness do not wear the garment of a tribe or social status. It wears the garment of God’s love.

·      How do we welcome foreigners in our community? Do we practice justice regardless of tribe and tongue? Is righteousness at the center of all we do as Christians and missionaries? If we are failing in any of these, God calls us to know that having enjoyed his love and mercy, we cannot but speak about the things we have seen and heard.

·      In the second reading (Rom. 10:9-18), St. Paul challenges every Christian to be convinced about what they believe in. He assures us that “No one who believes in God will be put to shame!” (Rom. 10:11). Having been convinced about our faith in Christ Jesus, we must now focus on the waters of baptism that bind us together as Christians. And what divides us. Hence, there is no distinction between Greeks and Jews.

·      Dearly beloved, there are a lot of people out there in need of salvation. Some are yet to get the message of the gospel. We need authentic preachers, not those who do not practice what they preach. But those who evangelize by the quality of their lives. We ought to rise and witness our faith.

·      In your workplace be a missionary. In the market, be a missionary. In school be a missionary. Wherever you find yourself, preach the love of Christ there. Remember that you carry the identity of Christ in you. So, bring forth Christ to those who encounter you. We must be missionaries by supporting missionaries, giving to the missions, and by going to the mission.

·      In the gospel reading (Mk. 16:15-20), Christ commissions us today as his disciples and missionaries. He lists the beautiful and miraculous things that will accompany us if we take seriously our missionary mandate: demons will be cast out, we will speak in tongues, serpents and other evil will not harm us, we will recover from all illness, and all will be well with us again. Will you not rather be a missionary?

·      Dear friends, God calls you today to rekindle the fire of his love in your heart. To take up again your passion for the things of God and the service of God. Together as sons and daughters of God, we can “Tell the Lord’s wonders among all the people!” (Ps. 96:3) we are missionaries and Christ has called us and sent us, “Go make disciples of all nations.”

·      May the good Lord bless his words in our hearts, through Christ our Lord, Amen!

·      Happy Mission Sunday!!!