Weekly Message

So, What’s Your Mission?
During our recent discussions there has been questions about being a “Missionary Congregation”.  Whether or not the parish congregation undertakes missionary goals, objectives or actions does not, however, relieve each of us of our calling to serve God and proclaim him throughout the world.  So, what’s your mission?

Pope Benedict is scheduled to visit Mexico during Lent.  In preparation for that visit copies of a Papal proclamation on missionary work, produced nearly 20 years ago and preached on by the Blessed Pope John Paul II was circulated throughout the congregations in Mexico.  Further, Pope Benedict made further charges to the people that all are called to perform some missionary action on behalf of Christ.

So, what’s your mission?  Missionary work has largely been associated with those who actively go forth to identify disciples (or at least potential disciples) and bring them into the Church.  This requires a special type of person with the right personality and gifts from our Lord.  Not everyone is called to perform this form of work.  This does not, however, relieve us from discerning our individual call, and implementing it in our lives.  Some may do nothing more than facilitate the work of others through their financial support.  Remember, that much is expected of those to which much is given!  Others may receive a call to visit shut-ins, or to volunteer at a soup kitchen.  Recently, a Priest in Los Angeles died who had made a special ministry of handing out dollar bills on skid row.  His ministry reached countless souls and, as we learned, was facilitated by the generosity of a few high profile celebrities who financed the endeavor.  While the dollar bills didn’t do too much for these people, the human contact and knowledge that someone cared about their mere existence was priceless.

A couple of Sundays ago our Vicar, Ron, spoke of a conversation we had about having some means of identifying ourselves as distinctly Christian.  In the ancient Church, shortly after worship of Christ was legalized, Christians wore their baptismal gowns as the symbol that they were baptized into the realm of believers.  In more recent times Christians distinguished themselves by wearing crosses or crucifixes.  This too has become a lost means of distinguishing ourselves as these have become mere adornments and jewelry worn by non believers as well as believers.  Some religious societies have members wearing vestments of various types to distinguish themselves.  This is an issue to ponder.  Yet our acts of Christian kindness and love may be the best way we can unselfishly serve our mission.

I intend to continue on this topic for a few weeks, exploring the possibilities of the ministries of one.  How each of us, working with the gifts God has bestowed upon us individually, can forward Christ’s charge to us.  That we can serve the Church, and mankind as living symbols of our faith.

Please take some quiet time to pray on this, then wait to see what the reply is.  I assure you that there will be a reply and that you will be amazed!

SO, WHAT’S YOUR MISSION, PART 2
By:  Jim Brandmueller

Last week I presented the concept of asking God's direction in developing our individual missions. This week we can review some of the history of the individual commitments and hopefully, be ready to answer our questions.

When the Apostles began to form Christ's Church and to go forth with the Good News, there were essentially three orders of ordained ministers.  There were Apostles, who had been witnesses to Christ and his work, Presbyters who, as the name implies, presided over services, and Deacons, from the ancient Greek word Diaconia, or servant.  Each Church group had one or more Presbyters and generally 7 or 8 Deacons who performed various administrative or other tasks for the Church including security, Catechists, Acolytes, and in the roles we now generally consider diaconal in nature.  Deacons also served directly for the Apostles as their servants and aides.  Early in Church development women assumed many important roles including the addition of non-ordained Deaconesses, who were responsible for the teaching and preparation of women and young people into the faith.  Women were key to the preparation of the premises for the celebration of the Eucharist.  Women were generally charged with the preparation and presentation of the Agape meals which often accompanied worship.

As the Church developed the Apostles found themselves overworked and in need of additional assistance with their tasks.  Thus, the Bishop came into being as the successor to the Apostles. As the Church continued to grow  and Christ's message spread, additional roles came into being with people accepting responsibilities for the building and maintenance of facilities, Monks, Friars and Nuns came into being to provide specialized services.  Early orders provided healthcare, publishing (copying texts by hand), metal smiths who made altar furnishings, vintners who prepared altar wines and so on.

As more modern times came about, less and less responsibility fell to the members of the Church. Most tasks were assumed to be handled by the ordained clergy or hired staff.  Today, however we are undergoing a reflective period where this model cannot function any longer. Costs for building and maintaining facilities have skyrocketed (if you don't believe this, let's talk about the Roman Church in many urban areas of the US and Europe).  Less individuals are responding to God's call and the cost for maintaining traditional clergy situations are very high. The result is a rebirth of the individual mission which we must respond to.  If we do not help to lift the yoke of these duties our community cannot effectively reach our full potential and the needs of the congregants cannot be met.

So, What's Your Mission.
 

"Heavenly Father, help to guide us that we may serve you as you see fit.  That we may serve you and the needs of your people and Holy Church."

SO, WHAT’S YOUR MISSION (CONCLUSION)

By: Jim Brandmueller

I was recently told of a sign located in a Church narthex which greeted people as they exited the Church.  It read "The worship has ended.  You are now entering the mission field."  We conclude this series of messages by examining how we are charged to be missionaries in our Liturgy.  The very last proclamations made in our services are often considered as dismissals but are, in fact, a specific instruction for us to take all that we are and all that we have gained in our service into the world.

Go in Peace to Love and Serve the Lord!  Alleluia!

Go Forth proclaiming the Good News that is Christ the Lord!  Alleluia!

Go Forth into the World gladly shining the Light of Jesus Christ!  Alleluia!

There are many similar charges which are available for use as a part of the Liturgy.  In the ancient Church this made by the Deacon Doorkeeper.  Today, it is proclaimed by the Deacon or, in the absence of a Deacon by the celebrant.  It is located at the end of the service as a charge of our duty and responsibilities to bring the Church and Christ's message of unconditional Love, absolute Forgiveness, and unlimited Mercy in the world in which we live.  The Mission is not an easy one.  Not all are ready or willing to hear.  Some may never be ready.  But out charge still requires us to carry-out the Mission.

We are all charged to be workers in Christ's vineyard.  Let us joyfully toil at our labors.  We may only plant seeds, but with God's infinite grace, they may be nurtured and grow.

So I conclude with the question, What's your Mission???

"God grant us the peace and wisdom to proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord throughout the World!"