The Pope’s message for this coming Mission Sunday is a particularly special one in more ways than one. First of all, it marks the 100th anniversary of Mission Sunday, established in 1926 by Pope Pius XI. Second, it is Pope Leo’s first message for this celebration, as last year’s message was prepared by Pope Francis. Furthermore, it is the first time this message comes from a pope who brings extensive personal experience working in missionary territory. The focus Pope Leo chooses, therefore, carries deep significance.
It may come as no surprise that he focuses on the need for unity and communion in mission, choosing the theme: “One in Christ, united in mission.” This choice is fitting first because it echoes Jesus’ own prayer for the Church: “that all of them may be one, Father… so that the world may believe that you have sent me” (Jn 17, 21). Moreover, it reflects his Augustinian background and his papal motto, “In Illo uno unum” (“In the One, we are one”).
At the same time, we should not brush this aside as merely St. Augustine re-emerging in Pope Leo’s teaching. Someone who knows the mission field from the inside is consciously prioritizing unity above all else from the highest office of the Catholic Church.
This choice should remind us, as Paulist Missionaries, of the path our Founder, Joseph De Piro, set before us. Most of us are familiar with the Spiritual Testament he left us:
“…To the members of the Society, … I earnestly request that they do their utmost to love one another in Christ. They must be certain that nothing will glorify God and benefit the Society and be of spiritual advantage to them and their neighbour more than love, according to the words of our Father St. Paul: It is love that builds up.”
Similar wisdom is found in our Original Constitutions in the section that speaks of Charity:
“The Society will be vigorous in the measure of the unity that exists among its members; its ministry for the glory of God and the good of souls depends on this.”
We all recognize that maintaining this unity in our communities – whether religious or lay – is a constant struggle. One of the greatest obstacles to preserving unity is the temptation to judge one another. With this in mind, I want to share an interview conducted by Fr. James Martin, SJ, with a Trappist monk, Fr. Isaac Slater, author of the book Do Not Judge Anyone. The link below starts at the point where Fr. Isaac speaks directly on this subject, though the full interview is well worth listening to:
During the interview, Fr. James Martin reflects that stopping judgment may well be the most challenging command Jesus gave us. Judgment isolates and divides us. Fr. Isaac advises us to reflect on whether we can let go of whatever makes us animated or judgemental – a choice he suggests is the right one to do in most circumstances. Furthermore, he encourages us to respond creatively when tempted to judge, following the example of Jesus when confronted with the woman caught in adultery.
Needless to say, the more united we are with one another, the more credible the Gospel we preach becomes. As Pope Leo reminds us in his message: “It is through the witness of a reconciled, fraternal, and united community that the proclamation of the Gospel acquires its full communicative power.”
This Mission Sunday, let us answer Jesus’ call to drop any stones of judgment that we might have. In this way, we unleash the true power of mission through the witness of a reconciled community.
Your brother,
Fr Martin Galea mssp
Superior General.