Weekly Meditation: Mission Sunday

On October 18, Catholics around the world were urged to observe the 83rd World Mission Sunday. As disciples of Jesus Christ we all share in his charge to "go and make disciples of all nations" (Mt 28:18-20). Jesus came with salvation and new life for all people and we as committed disciples bring that Good News to all the world.

Mission Sunday can be a time when we rekindle our missionary spirit and action. We all are beneficiaries of others, especially our family, who shared the faith with us. What an impact we make on others and our world by the way, the intensity, the love with which we live our Catholic faith. Remember the admonition of St. Francis of Assisi: "Preach always. If necessary use words!" Pope Benedict's Message for Mission Sunday strikes this essential note in the opening paragraphs.

On this Sunday, dedicated to the missions, I turn first of all to you, my brothers in the Episcopal and the priestly ministry, and then to you my brothers and sisters, the whole people of God, to encourage in each one of you a deeper awareness; of Christ's missionary mandate to "make disciples of all peoples" (Mt 28:19), in the footsteps of Saint Paul, the Apostle of the nations.

"The nations will walk in its light" (Rev 2 1:24). The goal of the Church's mission is to illumine all peoples with the light of the Gospel as they journey through history toward God, so that in Him they may reach their full potential and fulfillment. We should have a longing and a passion to illumine all peoples with the light of Christ that shines on the face of the Church, so that all may be gathered into the one human family, under God's loving fatherhood.

Bishop William R. Houck is President Emeritus of the Catholic Extension Society.