"THE MISSION"
Celebration of Mission Sunday is a reminder for all of us regarding our duty to live our faith and to share it with others.
First Reading: Isaiah 60: 1-6
Second Reading: Romans 10: 9-18
Gospel Reading: Matthew 28: 16-20
* First reading is from the book of Prophet Isaiah. In this passage Isaiah speaks about the light that has come to Israel when the whole world is covered in darkness. Nations and Kings will come to Israel to see this light. This prophecy of Isaiah finds its fulfillment in Jesus the true light.
* Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Romans. In this passage Paul emphatically states that believing in Jesus and proclaiming that He is the Lord is necessary for salvation. Other people can come to faith only if there are people to preach the message of Christ to them. Paul puts it obligatory for all Christians to preach the message of Jesus to non-believers so that all people can be saved.
"Preach the Gospel to all nations"
Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew. This passage gives us the mission command of Jesus. Before He ascended to heaven Jesus gave His mission command to the disciples. They were asked to go to all nations- preach and make disciples and baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Jesus makes it imperative for all His disciples to preach to all nations. Hence by this command the Lord removed all obstacles and distinction between the Jews and other nations so that everyone can be admitted to His heavenly kingdom. The Lord thus commanded His disciples to go to a distance in order to spread the good news in every part of the world. Thus the prophecy of Isaiah (49:6) 'I shall make you a light to all nations so that my salvation may reach the remotest corners of the earth' comes to fulfillment.
Hence it is the duty of every Christian to continue the mission entrusted to the disciples by Jesus. On this Mission Sunday Church reminds all members about this duty so that everyone will come to know that Jesus is indeed the saviour of the world. In the final section of today's Gospel Jesus promises His abiding presence with His disciples till the end of times.
"The Church by its very nature is Missionary" - Vat.II (AD2)
" Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words"- St. Francis Assisi.
"A small body of determined spirits fired by an unquenchable faith in their mission can alter the course of history" - M.K. Gandhi.
Celebration of Mission Sunday is a reminder for all of us regarding our duty to live our faith and to share it with others.
First Reading: Isaiah 60: 1-6
Second Reading: Romans 10: 9-18
Gospel Reading: Matthew 28: 16-20
* First reading is from the book of Prophet Isaiah. In this passage Isaiah speaks about the light that has come to Israel when the whole world is covered in darkness. Nations and Kings will come to Israel to see this light. This prophecy of Isaiah finds its fulfillment in Jesus the true light.
* Second reading is from the letter of St. Paul to Romans. In this passage Paul emphatically states that believing in Jesus and proclaiming that He is the Lord is necessary for salvation. Other people can come to faith only if there are people to preach the message of Christ to them. Paul puts it obligatory for all Christians to preach the message of Jesus to non-believers so that all people can be saved.
"Preach the Gospel to all nations"
Today's Gospel reading is from St. Matthew. This passage gives us the mission command of Jesus. Before He ascended to heaven Jesus gave His mission command to the disciples. They were asked to go to all nations- preach and make disciples and baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Jesus makes it imperative for all His disciples to preach to all nations. Hence by this command the Lord removed all obstacles and distinction between the Jews and other nations so that everyone can be admitted to His heavenly kingdom. The Lord thus commanded His disciples to go to a distance in order to spread the good news in every part of the world. Thus the prophecy of Isaiah (49:6) 'I shall make you a light to all nations so that my salvation may reach the remotest corners of the earth' comes to fulfillment.
Hence it is the duty of every Christian to continue the mission entrusted to the disciples by Jesus. On this Mission Sunday Church reminds all members about this duty so that everyone will come to know that Jesus is indeed the saviour of the world. In the final section of today's Gospel Jesus promises His abiding presence with His disciples till the end of times.
"The Church by its very nature is Missionary" - Vat.II (AD2)
" Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words"- St. Francis Assisi.
"A small body of determined spirits fired by an unquenchable faith in their mission can alter the course of history" - M.K. Gandhi.
