Once again, this year, it seems only fitting to reflect upon mission. There are three reasons that come to my mind. One is pretty obvious. Immersed in a mission to the Dominican Republic, my mind goes immediately to mission. The second is that Jesus’ resurrection begs mission. The third is that looking forward as we are to the Feasts of the Ascension and Pentecost, mission is in the air. The fact of the matter is that Jesus’ ministry and the Christian faith is all about mission.
Just consider these points. Mark’s account of Jesus’ call of the 12 apostles states, “He appointed them to be with Him, and to be sent out to preach…” In fact, the word ‘apostle’ meant messenger – one sent to deliver a message. But that role wasn’t limited to the apostles. Luke tells us that Jesus sent out 70 of His followers, and told them, “Whenever you enter a town and they receive you… heal the sick and say, “the kingdom of God has come near to you.” One of the few times we’re told that Jesus rejoiced was when they returned from their mission with tales of their work. At the time of Jesus’ ascension the very last thing that Jesus said to His followers was this: “Go therefore and make disciple of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you…” Then, at Pentecost, once the Holy Spirit came to them, the first thing Jesus’ followers did was to go out on a mission to proclaim the good news of Christ. Mission, mission, mission!
The Episcopal Church, mothered as we were by the Church of England, originally came into existence as a result of Christian missionaries, though we have been woefully lacking in missionary zeal throughout our history since then.. It’s true that in the nineteenth century the Episcopal Church was involved in missions to various peoples, but after that brief dabbling in mission the Church has focused most of its attention on self-care. The problem with that approach to church is that it tends to breed preoccupation with our selves. We tend to ask questions like these: “Am I feeling good?” “Am I being served?” “Am I being taken care of?” Are my opinions and preferences being attended to?” “Am I getting my way?” and so forth. Can you possibly imagine Jesus calling people together to do that? Can you imagine Him scurrying around to ask how His followers were feeling or if they’re being served? What do you think He’d say in response to that mentality?
The fact is that whenever people – especially Jesus’ followers – resist being outward looking to serve others they become inward looking to serve themselves. And that’s something always to be wrestled against. The best way to overcome it is to serve in Christ’s mission, not just individually, but collectively. Churches, including St. Paul’s exist to serve in Christ’s mission. The teens have done it, and it transforms lives. Adults should, too, locally and in the wider world. That’s why I’d like to suggest that we think about developing missions for adults to do – in our wider community and somewhere else. Perhaps serving in a mission to New Orleans or to Navajo Land. The mission of Christ’s Gospel is always essential, and we should be about it all the time.
Affectionately in Christ,
Phil +