The Church is mission

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,  

Synodality calls us to be a Church in mission. The Church does not merely “have” a mission. The Church “is” mission. She is a community of missionary disciples who are sent to all the ends of the earth to announce and give witness to the Gospel of Joy. As Pope Francis frequently reminds us, the mission we have received compels us to “go forth,” especially to the outer limits of human society, the periphery.

Where do we find the periphery? The dictionary definition of periphery is “the outside edge of an area or the area that surrounds a place or thing.” But Pope Francis is not simply speaking of geography. He is also referring to those areas that contain people who are social outcasts, on the “margins” of social acceptability, as being the periphery. The pope admonishes us to step outside of our comfort zones and to open our hearts to others, especially those who have been rejected by society.

In the Gospels, Samaritans are clearly “on the periphery” of Jewish society. So are people with leprosy and those caught in sins such as adultery.

As we read in St. Matthew’s Gospel, “While he was at table in his [Levi’s/Matthew’s] house, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples. The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?’ He heard this and said, ‘Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn the meaning of the words, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ I did not come to call the righteous but sinners” (Mt 9: 10–13).

In other words, the periphery is not confined to geography or social, economic or legal status, or to our religious or political points of view. Anyone who is different from us stands outside our comfort zone.

Continue reading Cardinal Joseph Tobin’s latest newsletter.