We are those sent out by Jesus

Fr. Livio Tonello, director

Pope Francis wanted the month of October that we are about to live to be an extraordinary missionary month and he asks all the faithful “to take to heart the proclamation of the Gospel and to help their communities grow in missionary and evangelizing zeal” so that the love for the Church’s mission, which is “a passion for Jesus and a passion for his people”—as Saint John Paul II affirmed—grow ever stronger!

In Matthew’s Gospel we read: “Then he summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness... Jesus sent out these twelve after instructing them” (Mt 10:1-5). Sent out. We are all so even today, from Jesus in person. But where? The missionaries, of course, know the way. The choice is theirs, misery is everywhere, at the four cardinal points of the earth.

They go and know why, for whom. Like baba Lorenzo, a Venetian priest transplanted in Malawi. One who dedicated all of himself to every man, woman, child in this hinterland of Africa. He didn’t spent his years just for Catholics. He was baba, that is, father, of everyone, immersed in a time that seems to have no measure and in a space that is wide until it is unthinkable. He was one sent out. One who found the field to sow, the furrow on which to work.

Like the young chaplain Don Damiano, transferred from one parish to another. A lot of work, friendships, so much good done and received. Projects and hopes, with young people and families. And always a smile, for everyone, anyway. Then one day, he went off. “Your place is no longer there”, said the bishop. “There is a need in Brazil. Take your things and go”. He didn’t lose his smile, and he leaved. I saw him again this summer after two and a half years, always with his optimism and his contagious smile... These are the apostles of the Third Millennium.

They don’t walk anymore, they jump on the car or on the plane. But they go. Where Jesus sends them. And when they get there, they know what their mission will be. But the others? The laity? They too are sent out by Jesus. It’s hard to let the distracted ones know what the mission is. Perhaps great writings are not the right means. We should do like Jesus. Taking people aside. Few people, however, not the masses: he called them two by two.

Without proclamations, but with some simple advice. We’d need some parish priest or bishop to talk like that. He could gathered a few people at a time, in simplicity, and say: “Dear friends, you are sent out. Not far away, but at home. Do you want to be missionaries? Well, here’s how. Be together as a family, talk to each other, pray, sustain each other. Land a hand to your neighbours. Be patient with the old, visit the sick.

Do not think only of riches, forgive and ask for forgiveness. Support your parish priest; if you can, teach catechism. Take care of the problems of your community, do not criticize in vain. Go to Mass on Sunday and greet everyone, give them smiles... there’s enough sadness around. Work and respect the money you have rightly earned, but give to those who have less than you. You are sent for these things. Are they too many? Succeeding in all of them is not required. But put in diligence. This is your mission. This is where Jesus sends you”.