Mission Sunday 2019

We Are All Missionaries

On 20th October, all over the world we celebrate the ‘Mission Sunday’. These men and women who have left their families, security, comfort in order to proclaim the gospel to the whole world. These men and women have taken seriously the commission of Jesus to go and make disciples of all nations. We celebrate their heroic witness to faith, love for Jesus Christ and the Church and their deep love for all people.

When we hear the words ‘Mission Sunday’ we often ask rhetorically ‘can the appeal for money be far behind? The answer is “no”. We appeal for money to support the missions. We ask you to give generously and become engaged in the works of the missions and share in the missionary work of the Church. Today we have the opportunity to pay a call on the generous help and be a part of this missionary effort. What is most significant in what each of us do by our prayers and offerings is that we won’t enjoy immediate results or public recognition. Responding to Mission Sunday is a great act of faith in our giving and praying the good that we participate is hidden from our eyes. What we sow today will be reaped by others on some distant place. We must be content with the belief that God’s grace will multiply our generosity and prayers, so the word of the gospel will continue and grow.

We can in our own way can make a significant way, even today, by our own exemplary lives. God has given us our body, and we can use our mind, ears, eyes, tongue, heart, hands to proclaim Christ. Whether in our homes where we live, in schools and colleges where we learn, in offices where we work, in the Church and society where we can be a true witness. People who look at us, see the radiating Christ. This Christ in us will bring many people more closer to Him. Even the non-believers will be drawn towards Him. Jesus clearly indicates that in our missionary work, we are protected by the Father’s love. Be a good missionary and God will bless you hundredfold!

-Fr. Anand da Gama Pais