HOMILY FOR TWENTY-NINTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, (WORLD MISSION SUNDAY) YEAR A. 18.10.2020.

Go into the world...

Readings: Isaiah 2:1-5; Psalm 98; 1Timothy 2:1-8 and Matthew 28:16-20. 

MISSIONARIES IN A TURBULENT NATION

 

In a meeting on Tuesday last week of the consecrated persons with the Bishop of Abeokuta Diocese, Most Rev. Dr. Peter Olukayode Odetoyinbo, a question was raised by a brother priest on the role of the Church in the midst of the turbulence in the nation. Precisely the recent clamor of our youth on ‘end SARS and police brutality, amidst other demands.’ It was so sad to hear from the bishop that we have a governor who do not listen to the people. Various letters, calls and messages have been sent to tackle issue bothering us, yet we have NO REPLY. Will the Church remain silent in the face of these devastating issues affecting our society? Are we to remain silent while the lives of our people are at stake? It is our MISSION to save lives and rekindle in the hearts and minds of Nigerian government the value of human lives. Saving lives was the primary mission of Christ and we are missionaries.

 

World Mission Sunday

Today the Holy Mother Church celebrates World Mission Sunday, decreed by Pope Pius XI in 1926, for every Church/institutions/parishes. Last year we had the central theme: “Baptize and sent,” which rekindle the missionary spirit in the life of the Church. This year we are called to reflect on our availability and disposition on mission through the response of the prophet Isaiah: “Here am I, send me,” which is a response to the Lord’s question: “Whom shall I send?” (Is. 6:8).

 

The first reading from the prophet Isaiah speaks of the peaceful nature of the messiah’s reign. It says, “It shall come to pass in the latter days…” The term ‘latter days' refer to the time of the Messiah, when he will reign over the earth and all nations will flow to his government. Many peoples shall come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.” In the reign of the Messiah, “Nation shall not lift up sword against nation; neither shall they learn war anymore.” This is to say that conflict is bound to happen in every society or nation but with the reign the Messiah, these conflicts will be justly and decisively resolved when the prophet said, “He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide for many peoples.”

 

Practically, when the Messiah reigns in our hearts, we will experience a nation of righteous people, people set out to live out the word of God as it goes forth from Jerusalem. When the Messiah reigns in our hearts, we will experience individuals who will treat her fellow citizens with love and not with brutality or any form of dehumanization. When the messiah reigns in the hearts of those in authority and power who earns millions of naira a month, they will listen to those earning a minimum wage of thirty thousand naira a month and see how the cries of our people on the street can be justly and decisively resolved. The cries of our people is not just to dissolve SARS or twist the name. Our cry is to checkmates the governing structure of the nation in general so that the resources are not just channeled to ammunitions, which are misused by some of the forces to intimidate and extort from the people or our resources being circulated just among the political leaders. Beyond the brutality or excesses of the of the police force, we seek a nation that channels her resources to schools, parks, hospitals, roads, employments and many other social amenities.

 

In view of the above, St. Paul in the second reading urges us that, “supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all men, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and respectful in every way.” It draws our attention to realize it’s not enough to criticize our leaders and lift up placards in protest. We also have the responsibility to pray for them. This is the desire of God, “That all may be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth,” which is Christ, the mediator between God and man.

 

Commissioning...

The gospel presents to us the reign of Christ; the commissioning of his disciples and the instruction regarding their duties after his departure. Before the commissioning, there was an encounter with the Messiah: “The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them.” It was in this meeting they received their apostolic commission. At this meeting, Christ said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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…”

 

Christ saying, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” Indicates that every other authorities and powers, be it presidential or states powers, are subjected to him. Practically, we can do nothing without Christ, as he is equal with God. If he is not, would he have claimed to have all authorities in heaven and on earth? Under his authority that we are sent into the world, with the commissioning word “GO.” His authority that guides and empowers us. In the message of Pope Francis on today’s celebration, he said, “God continues to look for those whom he can send forth into the world and to the nations to bear witness to his love, his deliverance from sin and death, his liberation from evil” (cf. Mt 9:35-38; Lk 10:1-12).

 

One of the practical ways we can eradicate this evil in our nation is to join our voices with the poor, whose voice cannot be heard. Without doubt, there may be those in the protest fighting for their selfish interest, notwithstanding, our voices must be heard whenever we perceive injustice, misuse of authorities and powers, dehumanization, incessant killing and many other evil decaying our nation. It is our mission to stand for whatever is true, just and holy. By the virtue of our baptism, we are all missionaries in different capacities and has been sent by Christ to bring salvation to the nation. Let this message get to all parts of the world and if the government feels they are working enough, let them be reminded that, to whom much is given, much is expected.” May the Blessed Virgin Mary, the first missionary who took Christ in her womb in a missionary journey from Nazareth to Judea to help her cousin Elizabeth (Lk. 1: 26-45) continue to intercede for us through Christ our Lord. Amen! Peace be with you.

 

Happy Mission’s Sunday!

Fr. Ken Dogbo, OSJ