Posted by The WORD in other words (2006) by Father Benito Limsuam SVD – Christ the King Seminary, Quezon City
Thursday 26th Week in Ordinary Time
Some time ago, a newly ordained SVD priest received his first missionary assignment in Africa. His boyhood dream had finally come true. He had responded to the Lord’s invitation to leave home and proclaim that “the Kingdom of God is at hand” (Luke 10:9).
The first three years of his missionary life were, by all appearances, smooth sailing. Despite the language barrier, he mingled easily with the people. He adapted quickly to the local culture, food, and climate. He felt blessed and fulfilled in his ministry.
But during the fourth year, things began to change. A deep loneliness crept into his heart. He found himself longing for home, for his family, and for the familiar company of his own people. The daily routine of pastoral ministry had become monotonous. Boredom and discouragement slowly settled in.
One day, however, something happened that would change his perspective. His catechist informed him that the village chief wished to meet him and was asking to be baptized. Excited, the young missionary gladly agreed.
The chief proved to be eager and sincere. He listened attentively to the catechesis and asked many thoughtful questions. Near the end of their conversations, however, the priest found himself wondering whether the chief’s faith was genuine.
So he asked him directly:
“Do you think you can remain faithful to this faith until the end of your life?”
The old chief remained silent for a moment. Then he answered with an African proverb:
“A stranger is like a stream of water.”
The priest was puzzled.
The chief continued:
“You are a stranger among us. What you preach may leave with you when you go away. But what you teach will remain with us if you stay with us, live among us, and one day are buried in our burial ground.”
Those words struck the young missionary like a thunderbolt.
He suddenly realized that mission is not merely about preaching sermons or administering sacraments. It is about presence. It is about staying with people, sharing their lives, carrying their burdens, rejoicing in their joys, and becoming part of their story.
Was this not what Jesus Himself did?
The Son of God did not save humanity from a distance. “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). He ate with people, walked with them, cried with them, suffered with them, and ultimately gave His life for them.
Mission, therefore, is not only about speaking the Gospel; it is about becoming the Gospel in the lives of others.
This is why Jesus says:
“The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest”(Luke 10:2).
The world continues to hunger for witnesses who will not merely come and go, but who will stay, accompany, and love. The harvest remains plentiful, but faithful laborers are still needed.
Yet missionary work is not reserved only for priests, religious, or those sent to distant lands. Every Christian is called to be a missionary. Parents are missionaries to their children. Teachers are missionaries to their students. Friends are missionaries to one another. We become missionaries whenever we bring Christ’s presence into another person’s life.
Pope Francis often reminds us that people need not only teachers but witnesses. They need to encounter the love of God in concrete human lives.
The old African chief understood this truth well. What remains is not simply what we say but who we become for others.
May we therefore pray:
- For more missionaries in the Church.
- For perseverance among those already serving.
- For the courage to remain present when mission becomes difficult.
- And that each of us may become missionaries to one another.
For sometimes the greatest mission is simply to stay, to love, and to be there.
Prayer
Lord of the harvest, send laborers into Your vineyard. Strengthen all missionaries who proclaim Your Gospel throughout the world. Teach us to be faithful witnesses of Your love wherever You place us. May our lives speak as loudly as our words, and may we help others discover that Your Kingdom is indeed near. Amen.
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