the ecology of mission
"As you go..." —Matthew 10:7
We all are missionaries by virtue of our Baptisms. It is extremely important for each of us to accomplish our missions for the Lord. To do this, we must know and respect the ecology of mission.
Our missions are ones of healings, miracles, and deliverances (Mt 10:8). These acts of God's power, however, are not to be isolated from proclaiming the kingdom of God (Mt 10:7). Moreover, we will not have the power of mission if we have not chosen the poverty of mission (Mt 10:9-10). Also, we won't be able to reach the world with the gospel until we have reached and blessed the homes (Mt 10:12). World-evangelization is home-based. Furthermore, our missions will be stopped or warped if we don't shake off the dust (see Mt 10:14) of rejection, unforgiveness, resentment, discouragement, and bitterness. Mission takes place in a veritable dust storm of hurts, misunderstandings, and brokenness. We must accept God's grace to "shake it off," or our missions will be impossible.
All Christians, that is, all missionaries, need to be spiritual environmentalists and ecologists. Let us totally give our lives to God. Let us do the whole thing God's way, and our missions will be accomplished.
Prayer: Jesus, in love and obedience, I will go and make disciples of all nations (Mt 28:19).
Promise: "I drew them with human cords, with bands of love; I fostered them like one who raises an infant to his cheeks." —Hos 11:4
Praise: St. Henry promoted religious worship and built churches "that the sacrifice of salvation may be offered constantly for all the faithful."
Reference: (For related teaching, order our leaflet, Mission Impossible.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, December 16, 1999
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 18, 1999