Some scripture scholars observe that in Mark’s gospel, the disciples come across as being rather dense during much of Jesus’ ministry. Three times Jesus predicts his passion and death. The first time, he called Peter Satan. The second time, the disciples got into an argument as to who was the greatest among them. This time, we find James and John asking for the top positions in the kingdom. As we heard, Jesus cautions them that they must first be bathed in pain as he will be and realize that greatness comes from serving others, not prestige.
This gospel is a fitting one for us to ponder on Mission Sunday. The closing line sums up the message of this day well, “The Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Our liturgical calendar is filled with the feasts of many saints who grasped that message and lived it. This past Friday, we celebrated the feast of the North American martyrs, all slain for their missionary work in the region of the Great Lakes. Six Jesuit priests and two lay missioners, all from France and younger than 40 when they died 370 years ago. One whom I remember well from my grade school lessons was St. Isaac Jogues, who despite being tortured, continued to be a missionary to the Huron Indians until he was martyred.
Unfortunately martyrdom still happens. Even in this century, Christian missionaries are giving their lives for what they believe in. Last week during our leadership class, for example, we were shown a scene from the movie, Romero, in which Archbishop Oscar Romero risked his life to retrieve the Blessed Sacrament under gunfire from a soldier whose battalion had taken over a village church during the civil war in El Salvador. Not long after that, he was assassinated while celebrating Mass.
On this weekend, as we honor missionaries with our financial support and prayers for what they are doing, we should ask ourselves how willing would we be to give our lives or defend our faith. Can you see yourself putting your life on the line for Jesus Christ? Are we willing to drink the cup of suffering that he speaks of in this gospel?
Most of us would likely say, “No way.” Not that we don’t love Jesus, but are we at that point in our faith journey where we are willing to go the extra mile as did martyrs and saints have done in proclaiming the Good News?
The mindset of many Christians in our country is a far cry from that of missionaries who sacrificed the usual amenities and relationships we take for granted in order to serve in distant lands so that others could learn of Jesus and our Catholic faith.
In all likelihood we will never be martyrs or foreign missionaries but we can still rise to the challenge Jesus presents in this gospel. We can at least strive to serve others here at home by diminishing our wants. As Jesus said, it shall not be like us to lord it over others if we are to truly follow him.
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Vatican II and the 20th anniversary of the release of our Catechism, Pope Benedict has declared this to be the Year of Faith. In the Catechism and the documents of Vatican II, we see the wealth of teachings that the Church has received, safeguarded, and proposed in its history. The Holy Father wants this year to arouse in every believer the aspiration to profess the faith in fullness and with renewed conviction, confidence and hope, much like missionaries have throughout the centuries.
Many of us take our faith for granted, or with the mindset of “What’s in it for me?” Pope Benedict wants us to use this year to rediscover the richness and content of our Catholic faith, which we profess and celebrate, and to reflect on it by taking time to study anew what we learned in the past.
That can be done in numerous ways. Participate in Mass. Regular Mass attendance strengthens one’s faith through scripture, the Creed, music, preaching, receiving communion and being part of a faith community. Do more than simply attend Mass by assisting in any one of the different liturgical roles that make the celebration more enriching for all who participate.
Go to Confession, which like the Mass, enables us to grow deeper in the faith for this sacrament encourages us to turn back to God and to be open to the power of God’s healing grace.
Read the Bible daily. If you can’t come to daily Mass, then take time to read the scripture at home, perhaps with a copy of The Word Among Us. If you like to study, I suggest the documents of Vatican II which speak of your increased role in the Church and or the Catechism which is a digest of our Catholic faith.
Be more active with your time, talent and treasure in the parish. This parish cannot attain its fullest potential so long as anyone of us feels that minimally living the faith is all that matters.
Be an evangelist and invite a friend to Mass. A personal invitation can make all the difference to someone who has drifted from the faith or feels alienated from the Church.
However we judge the quality of our faith to be, Jesus invites us to deepen our relationship even more through prayer and service to others. In living the Year of Faith more fully, our faith will indeed make a difference in our lives and the lives of others.