Posted by The WORD in other words (2009) by Father Ross Heruela SVD – Christ the King Seminary, Quezon City
Thursday 30th Week in Ordinary Time
When I was assigned as a regent at Christ the King Mission Seminary, I met Fr. Francis Madhu, SVD. I have wonderful memories of him. I knew him as a joyful, friendly, and approachable person. Many times, after dinner, we would walk around the seminary grounds and talk about his impressions of the Filipino people, his language course, and his mission in Kalinga. Through these encounters, he inspired me. That is why, when the news came that he had been killed in the mission, I was deeply shocked.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus laments: “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together… and you were not willing” (Luke 13:34). In our congregation, Fr. Francis is not the only missionary who died while proclaiming the Good News. Many of our missionaries have given their lives because of their desire to gather people in the name of the Lord. Even today, many of my confreres continue to risk their lives in order to bring others closer to Christ. We should therefore remember them in our prayers, just as they remember us in their daily celebration of the Eucharist.
Furthermore, Jesus says in today’s Gospel,“Look, your house is left to you desolate” (Luke 13:35). These words remind us of the importance of welcoming those who come to proclaim the Good News of the Lord. Jesus himself says elsewhere,“Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me” (Matthew 10:40).
We are therefore called to welcome and assist those who dedicate themselves to the mission of Christ. By supporting them, we too participate in the mission entrusted by Christ to his disciples. We become their co-missionaries, sharing in the work of proclaiming the Gospel through our prayers, hospitality, and support. As Scripture reminds us, “We ought to support such people, so that we may become co-workers with the truth” (3 John 8).
In this way, while missionaries go forth to proclaim the Good News, we share in their mission by welcoming and supporting them. Together, we participate in Christ’s desire to gather God’s people and bring them closer to him.
