Franciscan Sister Kathleen Murphy continues Part 2 of the September Just Gospel: Pope Francis and his monthly intention: That our parishes, animated by a missionary spirit, may be places where faith is communicated and charity is seen.
We have an example in living such a missionary spirit. St. John Paul II was not afraid to witness to his faith and he urged us to be bold as well. He emphatically announced the message of peace when he said, “War no more!” as he pounded the lectern at an Angelus address. He enacted the result of God taking over his heart when he went to the prison to forgive his assassin and did it with the world watching. He bravely gave over his whole being by allowing his weakness to be shown to all as illness took his strength.
And us, in our life? How do we let God take our whole being? How do we become animated by a missionary spirit marked by a faith that is proclaimed and a charity that is evident? Our Core Values state: We witness a radical and joyful way of life through selfless dedication to the service of others by showing loving respect and compassion whether serving or being served. This is a perfect parallel to Pope Francis prayer. We value a life marked by the words “radical”, “joyful”, and “selfless”. This kind of life can only be lived by one who is given over totally to God in real time. Such a life longs to blossom into missionary spirit of recognizable faith and perceptible charity that help to bring about justice.
So as this month progresses, let us ask God to take our lives and form them so that we might live the missionary spirit in a radical, joyful and selfless way. For, now is the time!
