Wednesday Gospel Webinar Portsmouth Diocese – Formation for Mission

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth. O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.

Literal meaning Where? Matthew 10 – somewhere in Galilee When? Second major discourse in Matthew, after many miracles What? ‘missionary’ discourse: Jesus forms his apostles for mission Who? Jesus, apostles How? Jesus sends them out with directives for mission Why? They are to continue and extend his mission in the world

Do not be afraid Do not be afraid to speak the truth Do not be afraid of the judgment and condemnation of others Do not be afraid of suffering and death Do not be afraid to declare yourself for Jesus Act in the light of where you are going: Eschatology Fear is opposed to Faith – Martyr = witness of faith until death

Finding God Jesus reveals himself as: Speaking in the dark Fearless in the face of physical death Standing in the presence of the Father

Finding the human person Made for truth and light Personally loved and cared for by the Father, in body and soul Essential relationship with Jesus: a matter of life and death

Finding the Church Proclaims and explains the Word Proclaims the Resurrection / looks to the eschatological future Proclaims the name of Jesus

Mary, Virgin and Mother, you who, moved by the Holy Spirit, welcomed the word of life in the depths of your humble faith: as you gave yourself completely to the Eternal One, help us to say our own “yes” to the urgent call, as pressing as ever, to proclaim the good news of Jesus.   Mother of the living Gospel, wellspring of happiness for God’s little ones, pray for us. Amen. Alleluia.

Acknowledgments Mosaics artworks: © Fr Marko Rupnik and Centro Aletti www.centroaletti.com With gratitude to the Wednesday Word www.wednesdayword.org