We are full of joy

Homily given at the Missioning of four new Scarboro Lay Members in May 2004, celebrating the beginning of their mission journey

By Fr. Frank Hegel, S.F.M.
October 2004

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"The disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit" (Acts 13:52). This sums up how we feel as we celebrate the missioning of Kate, Estrela, Barbara and Michael. Yes, our hearts are singing with joy and our joy is justified. The preparation is over and now it is time for your missionary sojourn to begin.

The challenge ahead

Like Paul and Barnabas, we are sending you out "to be a light" (Acts 13:47) for others. Being a light calls you to live the Gospel in such a way that through your life, people will see the Incarnation continuing in space and time. Therefore, it invites you to BE Jesus and not simply to worship him.

Being a light is to seek a full humanity and liberation for all whom you encounter. This may call you to "speak out boldly" (Acts 13:46) as Paul and Barnabas did, recognizing that at times your voice may be the only voice that speaks for the poor and downtrodden.

Being a light urges you to be a witness who translates your prayer into the concrete practice of love.

In short, to be light is to give life. This lived witness starts with you. You cannot change the world except insofar as you have changed. You cannot be light for others if you live in the darkness.

You can only give away who you are; so be true to yourself. You can offer to others only what God has done in you; so be open to the action of God in your life and share those gifts. You can only know the journey of the other by walking in their shoes; so walk with, not in front of nor behind, the people.

As you walk with others in their struggle, you will have no real answers. Your quiet witness will be your answer.

Being a light to others is a tall order, but by living Scarboro's missionary spirit we are confident you can do it. Scarboro's missionary spirit does not consist in words. It is centred on how well we live the Gospel, and living the Gospel involves certain choices.

Choices

Mike, Barbara, Kate and Estrela, in joining Scarboro Missions you have made some deliberate choices. You have chosen weakness instead of strength; vulnerability instead of security; humility instead of influence; simplicity instead of elegance; community instead of individualism. You have chosen to serve instead of being served.

Your presence here during these past four months and your commitment today indicate that you're ready to assume this awesome undertaking. But I would be remiss if I did not remind you of another line from the first reading in today's mass: "the officials incited the devout women and leading men of the city, stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their region" (Acts 13:50).

Talk with any number of missioners in this chapel today and they will tell you that they have been on the receiving end of this. What else can be expected if one speaks out boldly in deed or word, walks in solidarity with the poor, and takes a stand for something?

Let there be no illusions. There is suffering ahead, a suffering that will tempt you to think that you have chosen the wrong road. We have tried to make you aware of some of these situations during the past four months. We have also tried to provide you with tools with which to handle them. But don't be surprised by suffering and pain. Be surprised by joy, for joy is one of the fruits of mission.

A God of surprises

Never forget that our God is a God of surprises. God will surprise you with blessing upon blessing in the most unusual places and at the most unexpected times.

Be surprised by the cooling ocean breeze in the midst of a sweltering, humid day. Be surprised by the joy of knowing that God is beside you, guiding you, comforting you, animating you in what may seem to be your darkest hour.

"For those who have come out of the great ordeal…the one seated on the throne will shelter them; they will hunger no more, and thirst no more, the sun shall not strike them, nor the scorching heat…the lamb at the centre of the throne will be their shepherd… guide them to springs of the water of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes" (Revelations 7:14; 15-17).

Be surprised to find yourself falling in love with the people to whom you are sent. In your encounter with this people you will receive so much more than you give. Your life will be enriched immeasurably by the encounter with the other. Be surprised by the grace of making friendships that will last a lifetime. Be surprised to see the face of God in the face of each person you meet.

Walking on holy ground

You may think that at this point in your life you have a good grasp of the fundamentals of your faith. Well, be prepared to take off your sandals, for the ground on which you are about to step is holy ground. Be surprised to find your understanding of faith, hope, generosity, hospitality, welcoming and charity expanding far beyond what you thought possible.

You may find yourself feeling overwhelmed by the suffering around you. Be surprised by the discovery that what you are about is not your work, but God's work.

Be surprised at the extent of the Christian-Hindu-Muslim contact in Guyana and the degree to which they work together. Pay attention to the world view, the beliefs and practices of the indigenous of Ecuador and the animists of Malawi. Be surprised to find that they help to inform the impression of your own beliefs.

As we send you today to Malawi, to Ecuador and to Guyana, keep your eyes focused on the poor. Let your attitude be one of love shown in your tenderness and compassion. Seek appropriate ways to meet your needs and to trust in your heart that you will receive what you need.

Be the eternal student, always taking in everything with the intention of giving it all back. Concentrate not on being the best missionary in the world, but rather on being the best missionary for the world.

Maintain a spirit that is always surprised by joy; celebrate what is right with the world and by doing so, change what is wrong with the world. As St. Francis of Assisi says: "the best criticism of the bad is the practice of the better."

Be grateful, for all is gift. Cultivate your sense of humour and don't take yourself too seriously. Be seized by the Gospel and live your life with passion and excitement. Be filled with joy and the Holy Spirit. Be a blessing to others and to the Earth, and in so doing, you too will be blessed.

If you put on these attitudes you will be able to walk through the moments of darkness, being light and giving life, because God's Spirit will guide you. Be assured of our constant prayers for you and thank you for being strong enough to join us in this journey.

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