Do you lack a sense of direction?

October 19, 2003 -- 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

	Bishop Robert Morneau
	Questions for reflection: 1. What is your mission in this life? 2. What has been your experience of "drifting"? 3. Is there only one mission in the Church - the mission of Jesus?

Do you have a mission statement? What is your life all about? Where have you come from and where are you going?

These questions are both personal and challenging. On this World Mission Sunday the theme is "Healing a broken world." That task should certainly be part of our individual and ecclesial mission statement. Jesus came to reconcile us to the Father, to bring healing to a broken world, to offer us the fullness of life. The Gospel is clear: "The Son of Man has not come to be served but to serve - to give his life in ransom for the many."

We have been baptized into the mission and ministry of Jesus. Our greatness and nobility consist in following the Lord's example of service and love, a love that would result in the giving of his life. In the letter to the Hebrews we are told that Jesus understands our brokenness from within. Thus we sense the deep compassion that the Lord has for us who suffer from limitations and weakness. His mission was to be an agent of the Father's mercy and healing power to all whom he met. Incredibly, Jesus even took upon himself all the temptations we experience, so much did he love the world.

Isaiah the prophet also gives us various characteristics of the mission of God's suffering servant, whom we believe to be Jesus. Two things should be noted: this servant would give his life as an offering for sin and through his suffering and taking on guilt, many will be justified and saved. What a mission! This total, sacrificial self-giving is the revelation of the extravagance of God's love for humankind. And again, we are called to participate in this mission.

Is all of this just pie in the sky? Is not one of the current American diseases that of "drifting," a going nowhere fast? Many people lack a sense of direction and purpose, are without meaning in this vast cosmos. Life does not seem to make sense and even nature is noted for its "notorious indifference." Does anyone care?

Jesus broke into history to make present and manifest that fact that God is not just a creator but also a redeeming God. God's will is that none be lost. Jesus came to reconcile all creation back to the Father and free us from sin and death. His mission was one of life and love. When, in our lives, we are agents of life and love, we will find meaning and fulfillment. More, we will live in holiness.

Back in 1989 Stephen Covey wrote 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Before implementing the seven habits this author urges everyone to spend five to seven hours writing out a mission statement. Without a sense of mission our individual actions lack a context and ultimate meaning. Once one has constructed or perceives what one's calling is, everything is seen and done in a new light.

Service was at the heart of Jesus' mission statement. He was one "for" others as we hear in the Eucharist: "This is my body, my blood given for you." This is the ultimate service, giving one's life for others. But Jesus also was missioned, as are we, to bring glad tidings to the poor. The glad tidings are the fact that God loves us and offers us divine mercy. St. Paul reminds us that we too are to be agents, ambassadors, instruments of God's reconciling dream.

Do you have a mission statement? Many parishes and dioceses do. These statements spell out who we are and what we are called to do. Such statement helps to prevent us from drifting and wasting our lives.

(Bp. Morneau is the auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Green Bay.)