On Being Missionary Disciples
(Acts 8:26-40; Ps 66; Jn 6:44-51)
*********************************************
Do you see yourself as a missionary disciple? That is what Pope Francis challenges us to be constantly.
In today’s first reading, Philip can serve as a model for us. His missionary activity presents four key elements: faith in Jesus Christ; attentiveness to the Holy Spirit, knowledge of scripture, and the courage to proclaim the good news of Jesus risen from the dead.
Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch
In his challenge to be missionary disciples, Pope Francis insists the first step is a personal encounter with Jesus Christ. He even tells seminarians to postpone their ordination if Jesus is not the center of their lives.
Jesus for me over the years has come to be expressed in my morning prayer of the Anawim, those who know they need God, as follows: “Lord Jesus Christ, totally receptive to the Father’s love; humble, obedient, pure and faithful in response to that love; Son of God, Son of Man, Son of David; Savior, Redeemer, Word made flesh; sinless one, free from addiction, the Way, the Truth, the Life; the resurrection, suffering servant, crucified Messiah, sacrificial victim, risen Lord, victorious king.”
The next element for Philip was attentiveness to the Holy Spirit. When I was visiting years back on First Nations communities as a missionary Oblate priest, I would travel to the community praying to the Holy Spirit to guide me to the houses that I should visit, and twice that landed me right into the middle of couples having heated fights that I ended up refereeing to a peaceful conclusion.
Over the years, the Holy Spirit for me has come to be expressed in that same Prayer of the Anawim as follows: “Holy Spirit, Lord and giver of life, bond of love between the Father and the Son, life-giving creative Spirit, agent of forgiveness, giver of gifts, source of all life and love, exousia, dynamis, pneuma of the Father.”
The third element that Philip portrayed was knowledge of the scriptures. When the Ethiopian questioned him about a passage in the prophet Isaiah, Philip had no hesitation climbing aboard and explaining to him all the prophecies that were about Jesus, much as Jesus himself did to the disciples on the road to Emmaus. We need to continue to familiarize ourselves with the bible and the Word of God so that we also can connect scripture to the reality of everyday life.
The last element Philip demonstrated was the courage to proclaim the good news, not just to the Ethiopian, but also to “all the towns until he came to Caeserea.” That is perhaps the most challenging element for us –having the courage to share our knowledge of scripture and our experience of Jesus Christ with others.
I personally try to do that especially through the presentations on addictions awareness that integrate Christian, 12 Step and Indigenous spirituality, and reveal the Exodus Journey and Paschal Mystery Experience as central to the 12 Step program. I also find that biblical art is very effective in proclaiming the good news.
One example is Esther, who saw herself as Peter in a painting about the washing of the feet, both resisting and acquiescing. Stunned, she realized that she wanted to heal a relationship in her life but was afraid to do so. Overnight, she morphed into Jesus in that painting, realizing now she had to go ahead and wash that person’s feet – which for her meant to write her a letter trying to forgive her.
The Ethiopian eunuch symbolizes God’s desire, I believe, for the world’s religions. He believed in the God of the Jewish people and had worshipped in the temple, which involved animal sacrifice, kept far from the Holy of Holies by a great curtain. His openness to understand the prophecies about a suffering servant of God led him to faith in Jesus as that suffering servant who fulfilled all the prophecies about himself in the Old Testament. His whole belief system came to full maturity – now instead of offering animal sacrifice to a distant God, he had a personal intimate relationship with God who was Father, Son and Holy Spirit dwelling within him. No wonder he went on his way rejoicing after Philip was snatched away by the Spirit!
The Eucharist is a great act of faith, and our own encounter with the Risen Lord, through his Word, and his Body and Blood. Let us pray as we celebrate that our personal experience of Jesus may grow stronger, our attentiveness to the Spirit be keener, our knowledge of scripture continue to deepen and our courage to go out and proclaim the good news become like Philip’s.
Being a missionary disciples you have to follow these steps like having the Holy Spirit appearing to you and you have experience Jesus Christ. If he chooses us there is certain signs and feelings that would appear to us. He would forgive us for our sins and heal us from any illness and difficult situations. I even heard a word or message coming from my mouth while I was praying the rosary that is from God . He ask me to help this child who is certain health problems and difficulties, to pray for this child. This person is always frustrated most of the time. Also helping my mother find the piece of paper with addresses , I just start praying the piece of paper shows up. She forgot where it is and where she place it. We should learn to deepen our personal experience so Jesus will grow stronger and the spirit be keener and understand the scripture just like Philip. Amen.
Thanks for message about the ways on being a missionary disciple and deepen our relationship with the Lord and Jesus himself. It is nice to hear that you have the experience with God and Jesus Christ. This is what I needed to hear to open my heart and understanding about being his disciple. There is some people who misunderstood the meaning in having these experiences . Many Blessings! Gracias ! Bishop Lavoie.