One Sunday for the Whole World
“So the Sanhedrin called Peter and John back and ordered them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. Peter and John, however, said to them I reply, “Whether it is right in the sight of God for us to obey you rather than God, you be the judges. We cannot but speak about what we have seen and heard!” (Acts 4:20)
Pope Francis’ message for this World Mission Sunday reflects on the theme “We cannot but speak about what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20). He reminds us that, “as Christians, we cannot keep the Lord to ourselves” as we “recall with gratitude all those men and women who by their testimony of life help us to renew our baptismal commitment to be generous and joyful apostles of the Gospel.”
Growing up in St. Cecilia Parish in Tustin, my pastor constantly reminded us that Catholics are, by our nature, called to be mission minded. Even before the parish church was built, he divided up the parish into 27 areas (neighborhoods) and a missionary priest or sister from somewhere in the world was assigned to each area. Over many years, with countless potluck fundraisers and prayer meetings, each missionary was supported and sustained by the prayers and financial gifts of the people of Tustin. To this day I have never heard of such missionary outreach in a Catholic parish……..and I am a bit saddened to admit that I have not been more of a leader when it comes to missionary outreach.
This weekend, throughout the world, all Catholics are asked to pray for and financially support the missionary work of the Church to the ends of the world. It really starts though with the firm faith and conviction of Peter and John in the Acts of the Apostles when, as the Church was just getting going and was being persecuted, they stood their ground and said “we cannot BUT speak about what we have seen and heard.” Let’s do the same in our spheres of influence and implore the Lord to bless those who serve in far off places bringing the saving word of salvation. We owe a generous response to the Lord!
Monsignor John Urell
