From Maintenance to Mission: Sharing the Joy of the Gospel FR JOEL THOMPSON SJ
Easter is a wonderful time to rediscover and remember who we are as Church. The Risen Lord sends his disciples into the world, and in doing so reveals that the Church does not have a mission; she is mission (CCC 850). This is the great commission: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them…, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20). The Church exists to evangelize.
What We Believe Key Beliefs: The Church is missionary by her very nature Evangelization is the identity of every Christian We are sent by Christ himself to continue his mission Related Scripture: Matthew 28:19–20 Mark 16:15 Luke 4:18 John 20:21
What We Believe Evangelization is not an optional activity for a few; it is the deepest identity of every baptized Christian. The opposite of mission is maintenance. Maintenance focuses inward: preserving structures, celebrating sacraments routinely, and keeping things going. These are important, but they are not enough. A Church that only maintains risks becoming closed in on itself and slowly diminishing. Pope Francis warned against parishes “becoming useless structures out of touch with people or a self-absorbed group made up of a chosen few.” (Evangelii Gaudium/The Joy of the Gospel #27). Mission, on the other hand, is outward-looking. It is the Church that “goes forth,” and encounters people where they are. Does your parish only gather on Sundays for worship? Are your notices are mainly about fund raising and building maintenance? If so, this points towards maintenance. Does your parish routinely visit the sick, elderly, prisoners etc.? Engage social issues? Does it engage young people, and regularly invite those of little faith or none to gatherings? If so, this points towards mission. Our missionary identity flows directly from Jesus. He is the first and greatest evangelizer. His mission was to proclaim the Kingdom of God (see Luke 4:18). Before ascending, he entrusted this same mission to us “Go into all the world and proclaim the Gospel” (Mark 16:15). Even the final words of the Mass, “Go forth”, remind us that we are sent on mission.