Under the guidance and direction of Bishop Nolly Bucu, JCD, DD, our community, the Secular Oblates of the Holy Family, have just sent off Father Cesar “Jun” Vasquez and Bro. Steven Pabalinas to Barbados to do missions there. Both carry with them the OHF spirituality that will help them.

Meanwhile Reverend James Philip Monserate and Fathers Archie Domingo, Ryan Bores, Andrew de Vera, Randy Arca and Rey Vargas, together with our fellow brothers John Robin Manalo, Buenaventura Labor Jr., Rio Disini Anog, Kim Arnie Frial, Michael Temperante, Vic Canta and Gaylord Danchez are also doing missions here in the Metropolitan Manila area serving in various dioceses.

Going to mission areas reminds us that we are one with the Church around the world and that we are all committed to carrying on the mission of Christ, however different our situations may be. As missionaries, we evangelize in three ways: 1) by living an exemplary and transparent Christian life; 2) by prayer; and 3) by financial support.

The first and most powerful means of preaching Christ is by living a truly Christian life that is why during Diaconal ordination, the bishop hands over the Book of the Gospel to the ordinand, saying “receive the Gospel of Christ whose herald you are now, read it, believe what you read, preach what you believe, and put into practice what you preach!”

Patterned after Jesus, our life as missionaries should be a life filled with love, mercy, kindness, compassion, and a spirit of forgiveness and service.

Prayer is the second means of missionary work. Jesus said: “Without Me you can do nothing.”

Therefore, prayer is necessary for anyone who wishes to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Third, all missionary efforts require financial support because the love of God can often be explained to the poor only by providing them with food, medicine, and a means of livelihood.

Today, Roman Catholics all over the world observe World Mission Sunday. This annual observance was instituted 98 years ago in 1926 by Pope Pius XI’s in a Papal decree. Every year since then, the universal Church has dedicated the month of October to reflection on, and prayer for, the missions. This annual celebration gives us a chance to reflect on the importance of mission work for the life of the Church.

The Church, according to Vatican Council II, is “missionary” in her very nature because her founder, Jesus Christ, was the first missionary. God the Father sent God the Son, Incarnate in Jesus, His Christ, into the world with a message of God’s love and salvation. Thus, the evangelizing mission of the Church is essentially the announcement of God’s love, mercy, forgiveness, and salvation, as these are revealed to mankind through the life, death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Hence, on this Mission Sunday, let us learn to appreciate our missionary obligation and support the Church’s missionary activities by leading transparent Christian lives, by fervent prayers, and by generous donations.