The Joy of Mission

"One reason for the loss of joy in a baptized person or a minister is the lack or the weakening of the sense of mission. Without a commitment to the mission, the ministry is deprived of joy. The priesthood of Christ is intrinsically linked to his mission, therefore, let us awaken within us the Spirit that we received in baptism and confirmation." These are what His Eminence Cardinal Tagle shared in his reflection about Mission. He offered three points for reflection on the aforesaid theme: PRIESTHOOD OF CHRIST, PARTICIPATION, AND MINISTRY.

ON THE PRIESTHOOD OF CHRIST

Jesus' unique priesthood which surpasses and fulfills all other forms of the priesthood is a priesthood of a holy life, a life that is sacrificed. The word sacrifice does not mean suffering, sacrifice means to make holy in Latin. A life made holy is pleasing to God. A sacrifice pleasing to God. There are two main components of Jesus' priesthood and the sacrifice of a holy life. First, His total obedience to the Father. We can see this in the letter of St. Paul to the Philippians, "Have this mind among yourselves, which was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." In obedience, we love, in obedience we follow God's will. Second is Jesus' communion with compassion and mercy toward sinners in Letter to the Hebrews 2:9-11, it says, "But we see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through suffering. For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified have all one origin." Calling the sinners as my brothers and sisters. Remove mission, there will be no joy.

ON THE PARTICIPATION TO THE MISSION OF CHRIST

In participating in the missionary priesthood of Christ, it is not surprising that Jesus called disciples to be with Him and to be sent by Him as witnesses. We are called to be with Him in order to be sent. Discipleship and Mission are linked to each other, this is being an apostle. In Mark 3:14-15 we read " And he appointed twelve, to be with him, and to be sent out to preach." It is a good reminder too that in John 15:16, we are being reminded that "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide; so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you." Remaining in Him and being sent by Him while remaining in Him. The ones Jesus loves are the ones He sends. The more He loves you, the more He sends you. Proclaiming what one has heard seen looked upon and touched by the Word of Life. Humbly being led by the Holy Spirit's testimony to Jesus. The joy of not being obsessed with achievement, but the joy of gratitude to Him Who makes weak and sinful disciples strong by His grace. The joy of being missionary disciples. Without a vibrant friendship with Jesus, the mission easily becomes a burdensome work performed by so-called missionaries who feel more like slaves than friends of Jesus and witnesses to the Good News. Without a mission, discipleship might become a lifeless prison. Mission gives a baptized zeal and joy. To be with other disciples. With you, I am a Christian. Discipleship forms a community. The joy of priestly mission springs from the conviction that Christians belong to each other and to all human beings because we belong to Jesus. The joy not of independence but of relationships.

ON PRIESTHOOD, MINISTRY, AND MISSION

During the rite of ordination (Rector to Bishop). It is not the person to be ordained that asks for ordination, it is Holy Mother Church to ordain a person. No one can call oneself and no one can apply for ordination. No one declares oneself as worthy of ordination, it is the discernment of the Christian people and those responsible that establishes the worthiness of a person for ministry. The Church relies on the help of the Lord God and Jesus Christ in accepting anyone to ordained ministry. Without denying the profoundly personal aspect of the baptismal calling and the calling to ministry, we should not forget the essential role of the Church in discerning and calling someone to ministry and therefore the role of the Church in sending someone. If discipleship and ministry become purely personal pursuits of self-fulfillment, "something is lacking in my heart so I enter the seminary" there will never be a joy but only anxiety and apprehension caused by self-promotion and competition. Deepening the ministerial and missionary aspect of baptismal discipleship would enrich the discernment of vocations to ministry and states of life. They prayed and fasted and allowed God to act through them like the casting of nets. No one presented oneself as a candidate, the Church called them, and the Church sent them.

Did you apply for the position? Were you called and commissioned by the Church?

Obeying oneself and sending oneself where one chooses to go make people anxious not joyful. May the joy of the Lord be your strength.