The papal message for World Mission Sunday 2024 was announced on the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul in January. This year, Pope Francis chose the theme “Go and invite everyone to the banquet,” drawing inspiration from the parable of the wedding banquet in Matthew 22:1-14. In his reflection on the parable, the Pope highlighted what he sees as the three key aspects of evangelization.
1. “Go and invite”
According to Pope Francis, “mission is a tireless going out
to all in order to invite them to encounter God and enter into communion with
Him.” The Church, without growing weary or losing heart in the face of
adversity, continues Christ’s mission to seek the lost. Grateful for the work
of missionaries, the Pope addresses them, saying, “Dear friends, your generous
dedication is a tangible expression of your commitment to the mission that
Jesus entrusted to His disciples.” He reminds all Christians that we are called
to witness and share Christ with others. According to Pope Francis, “today’s
drama in the Church is that Jesus keeps knocking on the door—from within—so
that we let Him out!” Those who invite others to know Christ are called to
“imitate the same ‘style’ as the One who is preached.” This means witnessing
with joy, magnanimity, benevolence, compassion, and tenderness.
2. “To the
marriage feast”
Since the banquet in the Gospel represents the
eschatological banquet at the end of time, when the Kingdom of God is fully
realized, mission also points to this ultimate fulfillment. As we anticipate
this final promise, we experience a foretaste of it in the Eucharist, where the
eschatological gathering of God’s people is sacramentally accomplished. Thus,
mission and the Eucharist are intrinsically linked.
3. “Everyone”
In a divided and fragmented world, the Gospel offers a
gentle yet firm voice, calling all to encounter God and one another. Those who
carry this invitation should not impose new obligations on others, but rather
share the joy they have found in accepting God’s invitation to a new life. They
should live this newness of life authentically, wearing it like a wedding
garment. This mission is for everyone, and it requires the commitment of the
entire Church—those who go out into the world and those who support their
efforts through prayer and financial assistance. Emphasizing the importance of financial
support for missions, the Holy Father encourages generosity on World Mission
Sunday, when a second collection will be taken across the world to support the
Vatican’s Society for the Propagation of the Faith (SPF) and its global
programs. [This collection is distinct from the Mission Cooperative Plan (MCP)
collections, which has been a unique annual initiative of the SPF in the United
States since the late 1930s. Through the MCP, Catholics in the U.S. hear about
the missionary work of specific groups and have the opportunity to support
their efforts. Each year, LMH applies to
many dioceses seeking invitations to participate in the MCP, and we are deeply
grateful for every invitation we receive].
Finally, Pope Francis entrusts the mission of Christ’s
disciples to Mary, Star of Evangelization, seeking her maternal intercession
for the work of evangelization.
For
the full text of the message, visit: https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/missions/documents/20240125-giornata-missionaria.html