Paradox of Missionary Discipleship

(Readings for the Fourteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time: Isaiah 66:10-14c; Galatians 6:14-18; Luke 10:1-12, 17-20)

Christianity is inherently a religion of paradox.

Consider the central beliefs of Christianity:
-God is One in Three Persons.
-In the Incarnation of Jesus Christ, God became fully human.
-Mary is both Virgin and Mother of Christ.
-The Church is holy and yet comprised of imperfect sinners.

Yes, the Christian faith holds together seemingly dichotomous claims as one coherent truth. We embrace the "both/and," and not the "either/or," of our faith.

Today's Gospel reminds us of the paradox of our Christian missionary discipleship:
-Disciples are to be close to the Master so that they can be sent out on mission.
-The missionary journey is filled with risks such as inhospitable rejection, but the disciples are to go out regardless of the risk.
-The most important of missions occurs with the least amount of possessions.
-The "harvest" is abundant, but there are few laborers to work.

"The harvest is abundant, but the laborers are few."

All of us, by virtue of our baptism, are called to be missionary disciples. Through our personal encounter of Christ, we are compelled to share and give witness to this profound reality of God-with-us.  The Good News has been planted within us by the Spirit of God. We are called, then, just like the seventy-two disciples, to be missionaries who further nurture and grow God's Reign of justice, mercy, and peace in our own hearts and throughout the world!

This is the mission of all who who claim to be disciples of Jesus Christ. What is holding us back from this great mission? Perhaps we fear being rejected by others. In a world of indifference, this is a strong  possibility. Or, maybe we do not believe we are truly equipped to embrace such a mission. Maybe we waiver at times in our faith. Indeed, we might fear the Cross of discipleship, whatever shape it may take.

The Cross: Tree of Life

The Cross is the ultimate paradox of our faith. What we fear the most - the Cross - proves to be the very source of life for our missionary discipleship. The Cross is a sign that love conquers hate, that life is stronger than death. The Cross teaches us that in giving of ourselves totally, we receive one-hundredfold. Missionary discipleship demands that we take up our Cross in order to follow Christ more closely.

Once we embrace the paradox of the Cross, we can then move forward in faith as disciples called to mission by Jesus Christ.