In His Mercy God Called Us.
Dear Parishioners,
Last Sunday was World Mission Sunday. It was a celebration of the vocation of every baptized person called to publicly renew his or her commitment to the missionary activities of Jesus. It remains a day of prayer and awareness of a renewed effort toward evangelization. In this Jubilee Year of Hope, it took on a special meaning and appeal. It affords us the opportunity to give greater missionary perspective to our pastoral work within our local parish, universal church and society at large. Every pastoral committee, council, pious group and society in the church is called to participate in this essential mission of Jesus.
Today in the gospel, Jesus cautions us against those who believed in their own self-righteousness while holding everyone else in contempt. In the parable, the Pharisee presented himself as one who has kept the law and fulfilled all moral obligations while the publican expressed his sorrow for his inadequacy and pleaded for God’s mercy and forgiveness. He was aware of his sinfulness but wanted to be pure and reconciled with God. He approached with humility and from a distance cried for help. He abandoned himself to God’s mercy, while the Pharisee felt entitled. The Pharisee believed that he had a right to receive admiration from others and be rewarded. As a Pharisee, he belonged to the group that often sees themselves as honorable and perfect in preserving the law and traditions strictly. He is glad he is not like those who failed to do so.
Jesus praised the approach of the publican who recognized his sinful state but also knows that God sees him that way. He did not pretend or hide, rather he turned toward God and appealed to his mercy. “O God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” He is wise. He knows that God is mercy. He got it right. The self-righteous Pharisee ended up displeasing God. He left with no blessing and was alienated from God. This is the outlook that Jesus presents to us so that we can avoid such mistake. The attitude of the publican who abandoned himself to God’s mercy is the right approach to expect of a missionary. We are called to preach and witness God’s mercy.
The word “mission” is dear to my heart. It is the foundation of my vocation and the thrust of my entire priestly life. All my life’s work is dedicated to missionary activities. It inspired my coming to America as a young African college student determined to share in the priesthood of Jesus Christ and preach the gospel of mercy, faith and love. Twenty-nine years later, I look back with joy and gratitude for daring to step forward. This same desire for the mission led me to founding a missionary religious order of women and men called Ad Gentes Missionaries. It is a community dedicated to missionary work in rural and inner-city communities in Africa and the United States.
In his mercy you too are called. This is a great time to renew our commitment to the corporal and spiritual work of mercy. It demands concrete action from everyone, each to his or her own capacity. I invite you to share with others how you have experienced God’s mercy.
Grace and Peace To you,
Fr. Vitalis Anyanike
Pastor
