From The Bishop

The Readings for the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time seem to be most appropriate as we celebrate World Mission Sunday. All the baptized are called to share in the mission of the Church, to go forth and to make disciples of all nations. Our mission is to make Christ known and we can do this in various ways. Those of us who have been ordained priests have been configured to Christ and are united to His mission in a unique way. Jesus models for us how we are to live out the Church’s mission. In the Gospel of St. Mark, Our Blessed Lord reminds His disciples that they are to be servants not lords who think they are great and become tyrants. “Whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all.” In the Lord’s mission, greatness is not seen in power and prestige, it is found in humble service. The First and Second Readings give practical aspects of this life of service. Isaiah reminds us that to serve is to be willing to sacrifice and the Letter to the Hebrews states that to follow the example of Jesus is to serve with great mercy. As we share in the mission of the Church let us continue to look to Jesus as our model who “came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as ransom for many”.