Nativity Catholic Church
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On Not Being a “Statue”: A Guide for “Everyday” Missionaries
The joy and hope,
the grief and anguish of the Whatever makes up the life of people, whether joy or sorrow, is meant to be celebrated or healed by the Body of Christ. To be missionary fundamentally means that we move outside ourselves in service to those around us. Although we may not travel great distances, nevertheless we must be on the move; we cannot remain stationary! In the words of St. Gaspar, founder of the Missionaries of the Most Precious Blood, speaking about his band of preachers: “missionaries are not rooted in one spot like statues. They serve wherever God calls them.” This is true for all of us. To be missionary, to be who we are as disciples of Jesus, means that we cannot stand still or become reclusive. If we are to accept the call to be missionary, what qualities or characteristics do we need to nurture, develop, and refine as we go about the work of our mission? What does it take to be an “everyday” missionary? Perhaps the first question we raise, once we accept our missionary vocation, is “where do I go to get started?” The answer is clearly given in the opening words of the Vatican II document on The Church in the Modern World: start where you are! One doesn’t have to go to a particular place and then begin to be missionary. The true “everyday” missionary starts by looking around one’s present location, by recognizing the bits and pieces that make up the lives of “everyday” people. The missionary starts from where he or she is…and then is sent! To be missionary means that we begin from someplace (someone), and we go to someplace (someone). To be missionary implies movement. Sometimes this movement carries us into unknown, untrodden territories. But perhaps, more challenging still is when our missionary movement requires us to see known, familiar territories with fresh eyes and hearts, to hear known and familiar words with new ears! As we celebrate this weekend World Mission Sunday and the Solemnity of the Feast of St. Gaspar del Bufalo, founder of the Missionaries of the Most Precious Blood (the religious community of priests, brother, and companions who has offered pastoral care for this Nativity parish for 40 years), let us recall St. John’s account in chapter 20 of Jesus’ farewell words to his companions. As Jesus was about to send his disciples forth, he instinctively recognized that words alone would never do; simply telling them “be on your way” would never suffice. Before giving them their commission, Jesus first gives them two gifts: Peace and the Holy Spirit! Twice he offers them peace (they needed reassurance), and then he breathes into them the fire of the Holy Spirit! As the Father sent me, so I now send you! The Church and our world desperately need a lot less “statues”…and many more missionaries! Are you ready to go?
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