We are a missionary Congregation….
Wherever we work, our mission is especially to those people whose condition cries out for salvation and for the hope which only Jesus Christ can fully bring.
CC&RR, Constitution 5
Pope Francis captures the missionary heart of St Eugene and of our missionary vision today :
“Every Christian is challenged, here and now, to be actively engaged in evangelization; indeed, anyone who has truly experienced God’s saving love does not need much time or lengthy training to go out and proclaim that love. Every Christian is a missionary to the extent that he or she has encountered the love of God in Christ Jesus: we no longer say that we are “disciples” and “missionaries”, but rather that we are always “missionary disciples”. If we are not convinced, let us look at those first disciples, who, immediately after encountering the gaze of Jesus, went forth to proclaim him joyfully: “We have found the Messiah!” (Jn 1:41)…
Here we find the source and inspiration of all our efforts at evangelization. For if we have received the love which restores meaning to our lives, how can we fail to share that love with others?”
The Joy of the Gospel,
Eugene received the love which restored meaning to his life one Good Friday, and responded with a life of missionary discipleship. Here we find the meaning of our vocation today.
Benedict XVI take us to the very heart of the Gospel: “Being a Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction.”
“We are a missionary Congregation…. Wherever we work, our mission is especially to those people whose condition cries out for salvation and for the hope which only Jesus Christ can fully bring. CC&RR, Constitution 5”
I have read this particular constitution many times before. It is the truth. It speaks to me, touches my heart. “those people whose condition cries out for salvation and for the hope which only Jesus Christ can fully bring.” I am reading and tasting these words, recognizing them – it is personal and intimate. I know it has all been said before but now I see personally how Eugene wrote about himself – he who once looked for happiness outside of God and found only emptiness. Then and most particularly with his Good Friday experience being transformed, seeing that poverty and longing in others and wanting, needing to share what he has received with others.
And if I turn the eyes of my heart, very slowly I recognize another, myself, Myself, a missionary disciple. This morning too I think of the words of many, but most particularly Fr. Nicanor Sarmiento who would say “community – in support of the mission’. I would agree and say yes, but this morning those words have new life for me. I think of my community, this Mazenodian Family who is such a blessing, a grace, wed to my parish community, my St. Joe’s family and how that spreads out, encompassing more and more… I cannot do anything alone, but it is my combined communities that support me even as I support them.
This morning – this small discovery of myself who I dare describe as a missionary disciple – with glee, with wonder and gratitude. A small child within me dances and says ‘look Lord, look at what you give me – is it not wondrous?’ I run to hug my lord and see him most fully, Jesus crucified and risen – the both – one.
Fr Frank, you are not just energising your own community but those of us who have the privilege of reading your writings. Thank you. Makes me look at what I shoul be contributing to others especially those on the margins and the imprisoned. If we could only adopt a missionary vision for how we live life, be prepared to make the sacrifices neccessary to be like St Eugene, life would be so much better for us all. Bless you and your work that stretches across the globe.
Peg Hanafin