Homily for World Mission Sunday 21st October 2018
_“For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you.” *Isaiah 60:2*_
Today is World Mission Sunday; it is a day the Church has set aside to reflect deeply on and access its progress regarding the mandate given to it by Christ in today’s Gospel passage which says: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:19-20.
Within this mandate lies the entire mission and focus of the Church. When we say the church is missionary by nature, we mean the church exists simply to “make disciples of all nations baptizing them and teaching them to observe all that God demands of us.” For instance, that we are able to worship God as Christians in this community (which is thousands upon thousands of miles away from the Jerusalem where Christ gave that mandate) is courtesy of the mission of the Church.
Today, we are made to understand how we all are principal actors in making this mission of the Church possible either by going for the missions or giving to the missions. In the words of Pope Francis (whose 2018 message for World Mission Sunday happens to the basis of this homily), “every man and woman is a mission.” Nevertheless, young people by their unique nature have a special calling to this task and challenge of mission.
*The Essence of The Church’s Mission.*
What do we mean when we say we are proclaiming the Gospel? How do we make disciples of all nations? Pope Francis says it is “to be set afire by the love of Christ, to grow in understanding by its light and to be warmed by its love. 2nd Corinthians 5:14.” This means making Christ our top priority just as we would make a person we love our top priority. Proclaiming Christ to the world is living like Christ. Pope Francis wants us to always ponder on this question before we do anything: “What would Christ do if he were in my place?”
*Why We Must Partake in the Mission.*
As our first reading from the book of Isaiah says: “darkness covers the earth and thick darkness the people.” There is so much darkness in the world today as a result of “indifference to the faith or even outright hatred for the fullness of life in God.” As Pope Francis puts it, all the problems we face in today’s world (material poverty, spiritual poverty, discrimination etc.) are a result of man’s rejection of God.
In Nigeria, we see this darkness in the form of corruption, massive hunger, unemployment, poor infrastructure, ignorance, insecurity, violence and growing hopelessness especially among the young who believe they can only make it outside this country. If given a chance, more than two-thirds of our young people will gladly leave this country in search of what we know as a better life. This is just a reflection of the level of darkness we face.
My dear young people, even though you are worst hit by the problems facing our nation, God wants you to know that the solution is in your hands and the way out is to take up the task of mission personally. Youths, you don’t need to become priests, religious or pastors to preach Christ to your friends and fellow youths. Realize that you have the power to create the type of leaders you think our country deserves.
*Youths, Social Media and the Proclamation of the Gospel.*
My fellow youths, our special calling as evangelizers in today’s world lies in our ability to use social media positively. It is already bad enough that as youths we spend over half of our waking hours on our phones doing things that are either unrelated to God or capable of pushing us further away from God. Pope Francis wants us to begin to use the phone to let our light shine by creating social networks in this our digital world.
Enough of using social media for just for the fun of it, for the sake of cheap popularity, the promotion of illicit lifestyles, the worship of celebrities, endorsement of immorality, begging for money, advertising your business and so on. It is now time to start proclaiming Christ boldly and strongly. If you are too ashamed to preach Christ on your social media handles, then you are part of the problem of this country. If you cannot shine a light, then you are part of the darkness.
Again, Nigerian youths are experts in social media ranting. We complain so much and too much even to point of presenting our country in the most negative terms. Our complaints apart from being over-exaggerated have now become unnecessary. Youths, stop talking about darkness, we have heard already. It is time to start shining the light. Know that it takes only a true Christian to be in a position where those before have looted massively and enriched themselves to say: “I will not steal public funds. I will not tell lies. I will actually defend the lives of the citizens and not simply a few.” Etc.
For now, there are no such persons who believe in doing what is right to make our lives better and as St. Paul says in our second reading: “how are they to believe if they have not heard? How are they to hear without a preacher? How can men preach unless they are sent?” Today, God is sending you out, yes, you youth. You are sent. Go and preach but use words only when necessary. Yes, preach by the very example of your life. Start with your close friends, your social media contacts, don’t just like that post, don’t just add your opinion in that comment box, say something about Jesus Christ. Yes, you can. You can win souls for Christ with your phone. We tend to be very creative when it comes to social issues. Pope Francis is saying use your creativity to attract your followers to Christ. As youths, we have the power of attraction. Let us use it for the mission.
*Some Exhortations of Pope Francis to Young People.*
“Like young Mary, you can allow your life to become a means for making the world a better place. Jesus is calling you to leave a mark in life, your mark on history, both your own and that of so many others.” “Do not let your youth be stolen from you. Do not allow anyone to slow and obscure the light that Christ puts in your face and in your heart.” “The world, the Church are in need of courageous young people, who are not cowed in the face of difficulties, who face their trials and keep their eyes open to reality, so that no one should be rejected or subjected to injustice or to violence or deprived of human dignity.”
“I am sure your heart, a young heart, will not be closed to the cry for help of so many of your peers who seek freedom, work, study, a chance to make sense of their lives… Young people, let Christ reach you. Let Him speak to you, embrace you, console you, heal your wounds, dissolve your doubts and fears… Go to meet Jesus, be with Him in prayer, entrust yourselves to Him.”
“Jesus is not the Lord of comfort, security and ease. Following Jesus demands a good dose of courage, to take the path of the ‘craziness’ of our God, who teaches us to encounter him in the hungry, the thirsty, the naked, the sick, the friend in trouble, the prisoner, the refugee and the migrant, and our neighbours who feel abandoned. To take the path of our God who encourages us to be politicians, thinkers and social activists.”
*Conclusion*
Finally, like James and John who came to Jesus demanding for seats at his right and left, youths of today must stop waiting for someone to give them what they deserve. We have suffered enough. We must now rise up to the occasion and take our destinies in our hands. We must be prepared to drink the cup of suffering knowing that nothing good comes easy. We must stop running after leaders who have been recycling themselves since forever. We must now begin to train ourselves for leadership as Jesus said, this training begins by serving others. Youths, don’t be afraid to serve, don’t be too proud to serve, don’t shy away from volunteering because it gives you a chance to learn. Youths put the pursuit of money aside. Seek Christ first and proclaim Him. When the world knows Christ, money will come, life will be good for all.
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, use me as your instrument in the mission. Use me completely and thoroughly that my life more than my words will proclaim your message to the ends of the world. Amen.
Happy Mission Sunday. Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (2018 World Mission Sunday. Bible Study: Isaiah 60:1-6, Psalm 122:1-9, Romans 10:9-18 and Matthew 28:16-20).
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