Go into the whole world, especially the periphery

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Since Pope Francis was elected pope a little more than nine years ago, he has been urging the Church, which is all of us, to “get out of ourselves and go toward the periphery.” This insight of the Holy Father is central to our understanding of the Church’s mission. On the day the risen Lord returned to the Father, he commanded his disciples to “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature” (Mk 16:15). These last words of Jesus to his disciples urge them (and us) to get out of themselves (ourselves) and go to 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.” Pope Francis is referring to those areas that contain people who are social outcasts, on the “margins” of social acceptability, as being “the periphery.” He admonishes us to step outside of our comfort zones (another of Pope Francis’s frequent expressions) 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 lepers 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. This can include people who disagree with us on issues of politics, economics or social policy. It can also mean friends, family members or fellow parishioners who see the world differently from us.

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