Monday of the 22nd week in ordinary time, year 2, 2024
Reflection by Fr Collins Akhigbe, OP
Scriptural passages
1st reading. 1 Cor 2:10-16. Psalm 145. Gospel. Lk 4:31-37
Theme: The Difficulties of the Mission
“When the people in the synagogue heard this, they were all filled with fury. They rose up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town had been built to hurl him down headlong.”(Lk 4:28-29). One of the most difficult places to preach is the preacher’s home town. This is mainly because of familiarity. We know him through and through. Who is he to preach to us? This is the natural sentiment of preaching in your home town. The Master was rejected, and he suffered from this difficulty of home people. We too we surely go through similar difficulties as long as the home mission is concern. What are we to do? How do we respond to these difficulties? Why do such difficulties exist? These are some of our concerns in this reflection.
Why there are difficulties in the mission
First, the mission of evangelization is a warfare and a battle. It is a battle with the evil one and a battle with the secular world. The devil hates missionary activities because it is a bad market for them.
Second, we also go through difficulties in the mission because of the secular values of the world. The Master told us that all we hate us on account of his name (Mt 10:22).
Third, another source of difficulty in the mission is lack of understanding and cooperation on the part of the people. Where there is faithlessness, the mission becomes difficult and cumbersome. Some people have closed their hearts and do not have the understanding needed for the word of God to bear fruit in their lives. This is why the scripture says, my people perish because of lack of understanding (Hosea 4:6).
How to respond to difficult mission
First, acceptance of the difficulties is critical for victory over the situation. We should prepare ourselves for challenges and difficulties in the mission of evangelization. It is surely not a bed of roses. Many missionaries died out of mosquito bites, and many more ministers came for the work of evangelization. They did not give up because of the presence of mosquito in Africa.
Second, patience and perseverance is very important in difficult mission. There is hardly any prophet who did not go through difficulties and trials. Most of them were crucified for speaking truth to power. We should learn to be patient with the trials.
Third, we should be men and women of prayer and devotion. A life of assiduous prayers is capable of sustaining us during difficulties. The scripture tells us to pray at all times (1 Thes 5:17).
Fourth, faith is essential in overcoming difficult mission. The Master told us, everything is possible for the one who has faith (Mk 9:23). The more we put our confidence and faith in Christ, the more we are capable of overcoming difficult mission. The scripture tells us that our victory over the world is our faith in Christ Jesus (1 Jn 5:4-5).
Fifth, we need to have recollection and meditation on the word of God. Regular and constant meditation on the sacred scriptures will strengthen us in moments of trials and difficulties. The word of God is spirit and life (Jn 6:63). The more we study the scripture, the more we grow in wisdom and understanding. This is essential for victory over trials and challenges in the mission.
Sixth, we should take one day at a time. This is one of the secrets of healthy living. Those who take one day at a time find more peace and happiness in difficult mission. The Master told us not to worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow will take care of itself (Mt 6:34). These are some of the ways we can overcome difficult mission.
Prayers
Lord, help us to be patient with difficult mission. Lord, give us the grace of understanding and wisdom. Lord, help us to take things easy, deliver us from anxiety and worries. Lord, please sustain us till the very end. Amen. I wish you a wonderful day.
With lots of prayers and love
