Proclaiming the Mission

Today's Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, pillars of the early Church, underscores the truth that the Church is not about personalities, but the mission of proclaiming the Good news that Jesus, the Son of God, became one of us, so that we might become fully realized as children of God, and share in the divine life for all eternity. By his death and resurrection we are saved from our sinfulness, our selfishness our exaggerated sense of importance and independence...from God and one another.  United as the Body of Christ, we continue that Divine Presence in our world, our workplace, communities, our families.  Peter and Paul were men of different gifts and approaches to spreading the mission. Both, however, were dedicated to bringing the Word of God to the nations, faithful to the commission Jesus gave to all of us:  Go, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given to you." (Mt 28: 19).
Pope Francis certainly seems dedicated to this mission and with the combined energies of Peter and Paul, is using his gifts in that regard as are countless others in Church leadership, and in the pews.  One of my Rwandan students was ordained to the priesthood on this day six years ago, so appropriately, and continues with zeal and boundless energy to fulfill this mission.  Even a class of local youngsters, who were recently baptized at the ages of 8 and 9, have taken seriously their mission to invite their non-baptized friends to receive this sacrament.  A month later they are reporting either "mission accomplished" or "still working on it." Would that we could proceed with such innocent zeal. Perhaps our prayer for today might be to pray for the guts to live the mission ourselves, and not point the finger at those we judge are not! Bro. Rene