World Mission Sunday for Cultures

Liturgy of the Word:

Ex. 17:8-13;

Ps. 121:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6-7;

2 Tm. 3:14-4:2;

Lk. 18:1-8.

1. World Mission Sunday for Cultures.

The annual observance of World Mission Sunday was instituted in 1926 by Pope Pius XI. Every year since then, the Universal Church has dedicated the month of October to reflection on, and prayer for, the missions. Today, we gather together for the Eucharist and to contribute to a collection for the work of evangelization.

2. The whole Church is missionary. In our various states of life, we are on mission by living an exemplary Christian life, by prayer and financial support for missionaries. Pope Leo XIV’s message for this year’s World Mission Sunday emphasizes the theme, “Missionaries of Hope Among All Peoples,” encouraging us to be messengers and builders of hope in the Jubilee Year 2025. In our context, we are to burn with holy zeal to bring hope to our beloved land overshadowed by rampant corruption and poverty.

3. 1st Reading:

Ex. 17:8-13 — Moses has led the Israelites from the Promised Land through the wilderness of Sin, and has provided water for them by striking a rock. They have finally reached Rephidim (vv. 1-7). Here, the Amalekites wage war against them. Moses dispatches Joshua to engage the Amalekites. As long as Moses prays with his hands raised up, Israel has the better of the fight. But when his arms grow tired, the Amalekites have the better of the fight. So Moses’s companions sit him on a rock and support his hands until sunset. With Moses praying, Josuah wins the battle.

4. Resp. Ps.121: 1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6-7 — “I raise my eyes toward the mountains. From whence shall come my help? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth” (vv. 1-2). “Behold, the guardian of Israel never slumbers nor sleeps” (vv. 3-4). “The Lord is your guardian; the Lord is your shade at your right hand” (v. 5). “The Lord will guide you from all evil; he will guard your soul” (v. 7). The Psalm is an answer to Moses’s prayer at the battle with the Amalekites. God is the Guardian of Israel.

5. 2nd Reading.

2 Tm. 3:14-4:2 — Paul exhorts Timothy, in the midst of depravity, false teaching and persecution (vv. 1-13), to be steadfast to what he has been taught and to Scripture, which is inspired by God (vv. 14-17).

6. Then Paul solemnly adjures Timothy to proclaim the Gospel, whether convenient or not. “I charge you in the presence of God and of Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingly power: proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient, convince, reprimand, and encourage, through all patience and teaching” (4:1-2).

7. Gospel, Lk.18: 1-8 — The Parable of the Persistent Widow, a Lesson on Prayer.

Jesus tells the disciples “a parable about the necessity to pray always without becoming weary” (v. 1). A widow repeatedly goes to a judge and asks him to render a just decision against her adversary (vv. 1-3). For a long time the judge is unwilling. Eventually, he thinks, “While it is true that I neither fear God nor respect any human being, because this widow keeps bothering me, I shall deliver a just decision for her lest she finally come and strike me” (vv. 4-5). “But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”(v. 8).

8. This is a parable for our times. The unjust judge represents those in power who call themselves Catholics but have no fear of God nor respect for others. They issue contracts for ghost projects or for substandard flood control projects. This wanton corruption results in shocking disasters. Floods destroy the homes of thousands of families. Billions in public funds are pocketed that could be used by the poor for their basic needs.

9. The unjust structures of sin are deeply embedded and do not respond to pleas of assistance. But our God of mercy and compassion does. The widow represents a person whose faith is bolstered by prayer that is persistent, persevering, and constant, a prayer “that does not grow weary.”

10. Structures of corruption and injustice may be deeply embedded. But persistent and persevering prayer by the God-fearing, a faith in action, can impact attitudes of corruption and injustice. We need to extend nationwide the spirit and program of prayer and penance that the Trillion Peso March has begun.

11. Injustice and corruption will continue till the end of time but hopefully the Lord Jesus will also find on earth a persevering and prayerful faith.

12. Prayer — Almighty ever-living God, you bless those who are “joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” (Rom. 12:12). Grant that we may have a steadfast faith and pray with perseverance and constancy for the peace and salvation that you alone can give, through Christ our Lord. Amen.