25/10/2023
Hello, dear brothers and sisters in Christ. I am happy to be with you today to share some reflections on the theme of World Mission Sunday, which is “Hearts on fire, feet on the move”. This theme is inspired by the Gospel story of the disciples on the way to Emmaus, who encountered the risen Lord and were transformed by his word and his presence.
This story tells us that the journey of all missionary disciples is marked by three images: their hearts burned within them as they heard the Scriptures explained by Jesus, their eyes were opened as they recognized him and, ultimately, their feet set out on the way. These images can help us to renew our zeal for evangelization in today’s world, especially amid the challenges and tribulations that we face.
Let us first consider the image of the burning heart. The disciples were sad and discouraged by the events of Jesus’ passion and death. They had lost their hope and their joy. But as they walked with Jesus, he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures and how they pointed to him. He showed them that his suffering and death were not a defeat, but a victory. He revealed to them the meaning and purpose of his mission. And as he did so, their hearts were filled with a new fire, a fire of love and faith.
We too need to let Jesus speak to our hearts through his word. We need to listen to him attentively and let him enlighten our minds and our lives. We need to let him show us how he is present and active in our history, in our culture, in our society. We need to let him ignite in us a passion for his kingdom and his will. We need to let him warm our hearts with his love and his mercy.
But this is not enough. We also need to open our eyes to recognize him in the breaking of the bread. The disciples invited Jesus to stay with them, and he accepted their invitation. He took bread, blessed it, broke it and gave it to them. And at that moment, their eyes were opened and they recognized him. They realized that he was not a stranger, but their Lord and their friend. They realized that he was not dead, but alive. They realized that he was not distant, but close.
We too need to recognize Jesus in the breaking of the bread, which is the Eucharist. We need to participate in this sacrament with faith and devotion, knowing that it is the source and summit of our Christian life. We need to receive him with reverence and gratitude, knowing that he gives himself to us as food for our journey. We need to adore him with awe and wonder, knowing that he is truly present in his body and blood. We need to recognize him as our Lord and our friend, who loves us unconditionally and who invites us into communion with him.
But this is also not enough. We also need to move our feet to go out and share what we have seen and heard. The disciples could not keep their experience of Jesus to themselves. They felt an urgent need to tell others about it. They left Emmaus immediately and returned to Jerusalem, where they found the other disciples gathered together. And they told them what had happened on the road and how they had recognized Jesus in the breaking of the bread. They became witnesses of his resurrection and his presence.
We too need to move our feet to go out and share our experience of Jesus with others. We need to be missionaries of his Gospel in word and deed. We need to proclaim his name and his message with courage and joy. We need to serve his people with compassion and generosity. We need to build his church with unity and diversity. We need to be witnesses of his resurrection and his presence.
This is what Pope Francis invites us to do on this World Mission Sunday: “to renew our missionary commitment by bearing witness through prayer, penance, charity; by preaching; by catechesis; by offering one’s life; by working for justice; by caring for creation; by being close especially to those who are most poor or marginalized”. This is what it means to have hearts on fire and feet on the move.
But we are not alone in this mission. We are part of a universal church that spans across continents and cultures. We are part of a family of missionaries who are serving in various parts of the world. We are part of a communion of saints who are interceding for us from heaven.
Let us pray for each other, that we may be faithful and fruitful in our mission. Let us pray for all the men and women missionaries who are risking their lives for the sake of the Gospel. Let us pray for all those who are suffering persecution or oppression because of their faith in Christ.
Let us also express our gratitude and solidarity with them by supporting the Pontifical Mission Societies, which are the primary financial support for the mission of evangelization. Let us contribute generously to the collection for the missions, which will be taken up today in all the churches around the world. Let us show our love and our care for our brothers and sisters in Christ, who are in need of our help and our prayers.
Let us ask the intercession of St. Daniel Comboni, the apostle of Africa, who gave his life for the people he loved. He brought them hope and faith and grace. He founded a new family of missionaries and sisters, who continue his work today. He taught them to save Africa through Africa itself. He died with a smile on his face and a prayer in his heart. He is a model and a patron for all of us who are called to be missionaries of Christ.
St. Daniel Comboni, pray for us.
Amen.
