Today we observe World Mission Sunday – a day devoted to prayer and generous solidarity in favor of our brave brothers and sisters who are preaching the Gospel and witnessing to Christ’s love in the foreign missions. They are doing this in response to a special call from the Lord.
In their apostolic labor they have become the “servants of all,” especially of those who are poor, sick, or neglected in whatever way. That is why their mission is not only to preach the Gospel, but also to make it come alive through hospitals, schools, and other forms of helps to development. For the success of their mission they trust not only in God’s grace but also in our prayers and generosity. Let us make this Eucharist a moment of special solidarity with all missionaries.
James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” He replied, “What do you wish me to do for you?” They answered him, “Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left.” Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?”
They said to him, “We can!” Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink, you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared.”
When the ten heard this, they became indignant at James and John.
Jesus summoned the Twelve and said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
In their apostolic labor they have become the “servants of all,” especially of those who are poor, sick, or neglected in whatever way. That is why their mission is not only to preach the Gospel, but also to make it come alive through hospitals, schools, and other forms of helps to development. For the success of their mission they trust not only in God’s grace but also in our prayers and generosity. Let us make this Eucharist a moment of special solidarity with all missionaries.
James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” He replied, “What do you wish me to do for you?” They answered him, “Grant that in your glory we may sit one at your right and the other at your left.” Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I drink or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?”
They said to him, “We can!” Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink, you will drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right or at my left is not mine to give but is for those for whom it has been prepared.”
When the ten heard this, they became indignant at James and John.
Jesus summoned the Twelve and said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you. Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you will be your servant; whoever wishes to be first among you will be the slave of all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
