FROM THE SERVANT GENERAL
ON EVANGELIZATION AND MISSION
(Part 119)
COMMISSIONED TO PREACH THE GOSPEL – 20
November 30, 2019
Today’s readings:
Romans 10:9-18
Psalm 19:8-11
Matthew 4:18-22
The Father sent His own Son Jesus into the world to win for us our salvation. By dying on the cross, Jesus paid the price for our sins. By rising from the dead, Jesus defeated sin, Satan and death. In Jesus we are saved. But we need to accept what God has done for us. So how are we saved? “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Rom 10:9).
So “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Rom 10:13). But this does not happen just like that. There is a process that needs to happen. One can call on the Lord if they believe in him; they can believe when they hear about him; they hear if someone preaches about him (Rom 10:14). One preaches if he is sent (Rom 10:15). But before people can be sent to proclaim the gospel, they need to be chosen, called and instructed by Jesus.
So at the beginning of his public ministry, with the purpose of his earthly mission in mind, Jesus chose and called his disciples. First were Peter and Andrew (Mt 4:18). Then there were James and John (Mt 4:21). Jesus told them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Mt 4:19). Later he called 8 others. Then a further 72. Then, at the end of his earthly mission, before he ascended into heaven, Jesus sent his disciples. He commanded them, “Go.” They did. They proclaimed the gospel, and the gospel was brought to the ends of the earth.
As disciples, we are to obey our Master. As MFC, we are chosen, called and sent. Do we obey? We are an evangelistic and missionary community, part of a missionary Church. Do we go out on mission? “The command of the Lord is clear” (Ps 19:9b). Is it clear to us what God is telling us to do, why He raised MFC in the first place? Do we have the right vision for our mission?
If the answer is YES, then our response must be decisive. As to Peter and Andrew when called by Jesus, “at once they left their nets and followed him.” (Mt 4:20). As to James and John, “immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him.” (Mt 4:22). Their priority became Jesus, even before their cherished family and livelihood.
We do not have to leave family and livelihood behind. But we do need to evangelize and do mission, and Jesus needs to be our first priority. We need to share Christ so others might meet and know Christ, put their faith in him, and experience the salvation already won by Jesus for them. “Thus faith comes from what is heard” (Rom 10:17a).
The evangelization we do is rapid, massive and worldwide. The goal, especially with LCSC, done through the parishes, is to reach all Catholics in the world. We obey Jesus’ command and we preach the gospel to the ends of the earth. “Their voice has gone forth to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.” (Rom 10:18b). God does the rest and provides the fruit.
This is the most important work for Christians, because this is about the very mission of Jesus, to bring salvation to all. Jesus did his work, now we do ours. And be assured: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news!” (Rom 10:15b).
* * *
