GUIDING PRINCIPLE
“As baptized Catholics, we are all called to the evangelizing mission of the Church. Rooted in this mission, together we are guided by a desire to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ in the world by living and sharing a life of faith.”
Missionary discipleship is one of the guiding principles in the All Things New pastoral plan. To learn more, visit stcdio.org/all-things-new/
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By Molly Weyrens
A fond memory I like to recall happened at the Minnesota State Capitol about six years ago. I was there for a Day on the Hill event sponsored by the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition. As I was working my way through the building, I happened to see the president of my college alma mater who I held in high esteem. When we caught up to each other he asked me what I was doing there and I said, “Just trying to build up the kingdom!”
His response was “Well, that sounds like a fine thing to be doing!”
I share that story as we talk about the theme of missionary discipleship because building up the kingdom of God is what we are about as followers of Jesus Christ.
Although we seem to be hearing this term a lot lately, missionary discipleship is not new. For the past 2000 years, we have been following the invitation of Jesus to “Follow me.” Building from documents of the Second Vatican Council, St. John Paul II highlighted the term “New Evangelization” and later, Pope Benedict XVI used it, saying “that the New Evangelization is new, not in content, but rather in its inner thrust; new in its methods that must correspond to the times; and new because itis necessary to proclaim the Gospel to those who have already heard it.” Pope Francis started his papacy with this theme and it continues to inspire and direct how we are to live out our baptismal call as disciples.
At the heart of being a missionary disciple is the experience of encounter. This word comes from the Spanish word “encuentro.” This form of the word means not just a casual encounter with someone but a significant experience that will enable us into a greater relationship, one that invites us to really know that person for who they are. It goes deeper than just an accidental meeting.
As Christians, we believe that we encounter Jesus himself in our brothers and sisters. Because of this belief, we are called to a more meaningful way of being a disciple that inspires us to step outside of ourselves and act in new ways to accompany one another in justice, mercy and joy.
The precedent has been set from the early life of the apostles and disciples who followed Jesus through all of the changes in our Church and now as we are sent forth to continue to reach out to not only those who have not heard the message of Jesus but to those in our midst who are for some reason members of our Church, but are not joining us at the Lord’s Table. To carry on the work of Jesus Christ, we remember that our mission is both an inner mission and an outer mission to the wider community.
In Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation “Evangelii Gaudium,” he tells us not to be “sourpusses!” He reminds us all to be witnesses of joy along with compassion, peace, courage and mercy.
Kingdom building is not for the faint of heart! Luckily, we do not do it alone. We are creatures who need each other to survive. “If we have encountered Christ’s love and continue to encounter him anew each day, we can’t help but want to go out and share with others the joy we have experienced in Christ” (Sirach 21). May our efforts in missionary discipleship bear much fruit and joy!
Molly Weyrens is the pastoral associate at Christ Our Light in Princeton. In her role she offers pastoral care, support and outreach. In the photo above, she helps assemble May Day baskets for residents of nearby senior care facilities with members of the Christ Our Light faith formation program. (Photo submitted)
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- What does the Catechism of the Catholic Church say about missionary discipleship? Check out CCC 767, CCC 849.
- Have you read “Ad Gentes,” the Church’s decree on missionary activity?
- How about the Second Vatican Council document “Lumen Gentium,” promulgated by St. Paul VI? Or “Redemptoris Missio” attributed to St. John Paul II?