Mission means “Leaving” The Comfort Zone

Weekly Missionary Reflection
Sunday, 26 May 2024
Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity
Deu. 4:32-34,39-40; Ps. 33:4-5,6,9,18-19,20,22; Rom. 8:14-17; Matt. 28:16-20

The last word of Jesus to His disciples is to go on the mission. The mission of the disciples is the mission of Jesus. The essence and characteristics of the Christian mission are underlined in today’s gospel. First, both missions of Jesus and the disciples come from the Father, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (v. 18). The power in heaven and on earth belongs to the Father. After His resurrection, Jesus received the power from the Father. This confirms the close relationship between the Father and the Son. The Father shares His power with the Son. Since the beginning of His work, Jesus had presented the power of the Father to the world in teaching, healing, forgiving, and casting out demons. After the resurrection, the power is limitless: on earth and in heaven!

Second, with the power of the Father, Jesus commanded His disciples to “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations” (v. 19). As Jesus spent His entire life proclaiming the Kingdom of God, so is the mission of His disciples. Mission means “to go: leaving the comfort zone, leaving the convenient organization and bureaucracy to bring the joy of the gospel to everybody. The mission’s aim is affirmed: to make disciples of all nations.  Mission is sharing the experience of being a disciple of Jesus, so others can have a personal relation with Jesus, listen to His teaching as the Only Teacher, make Him the leader and guardian, and endeavor to follow Him in the way of His cross.

Third, baptizing them, in the name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Spirit (v. 19). The purpose of baptism is the union of humans with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Jesus only mentions a single “name”, not three! He presents only one God that we believe as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Three are so united that they are presenting Themselves together and connected to each other. Humans are baptized in deep unity with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Humans seem to be involved in the mystery of the Holy Trinity who protects them from sin and embraces them with love.

Fourth, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you (v. 20). The unity with the Holy Trinity must be strengthened with the Lord’s teachings. So as not to let the baptisms end in ceremony and ritual only.  Mission is continuously drawing inspiration and connecting to the Lord’s teaching and command to bring transformation in life and behavior (repentance). Without that, a mission is just a personal theory, ambition, and project. Magnificent and successful for humans, but frail and vain for God.

Fifth, “I am with you always, until the end of the age” (v. 20). This is the standard pattern of the Lord’s work: He commands and enables us. The Lord knows that a true mission is not easy. Betrayal and failure will always block us. However, it will not stop us from making others “His disciples”, because of His promise to be always with us. Until the end of the age!

(Hortensius Mandaru – Indonesian Bible Society)

DAILY DEDICATED PRAYER

Lord, our Father, I present my today prayer, thought, word, work, joy, and sorrow in unity with Your Son, Jesus Christ, who always presents Himself in the Eucharist for the salvation of the world. May the Holy Spirit animating Jesus, also be my guidance and strength today so that I am ready to be the witness of Your love.

Together with Mary, Mother of Jesus, and the Church, in particular, I present my prayer for our Pope and apostle prayer of the Indonesian Church of this month:

Universal Church Intent: For the formations of religious and seminarians
We pray that religious women and men, and seminarians, grow in their vocations through their human, pastoral, spiritual and community formation, leading them to be credible witnesses to the Gospel.

Indonesian Church Intent: Content creator and influencer
We pray that the content creators and influencers be able to produce content of positive message, honesty and unity building.

Amen.