Videos

To be a missionary is the call of all of us. According to Marriam-Webster’s dictionary a missionary is someone who propagates a religious faith or carries on humanitarian works. Propagate meaning to foster growing knowledge, familiarity or acceptance.

Now all Christians through their Baptism, in the name of the Holy Trinity, are not only saved, but entrusted with the task – the mission – of baring witness to Christ to others. As Catholics we further commit to living this out in the Sacrament of Confirmation. So all Catholics are called to be missionaries. We are even reminded every time we attend mass. At the end after the final blessing the priest says, go forth and spread the God News.

Now the Catholic Church at the heart of it all is missionary. The Catholic Church doesn’t have a mission, rather the mission, which Jesus Christ started has a Church. When Jesus said to Peter, upon this rock I build my church, Jesus gave the mission to all of his disciples for all of the ages to come. Which today is both you and me.

When we look at the apostles and when we look at Jesus during His ministry. No two disciples, no two encounters with Christ or even parables were ever the same. Why? Because the mission is creative. It is meant to reach and relate to all people. To the rich, the poor, the intellects and the uneducated. It was meant for everyone. So the mission needed to be creative in the various forms and ways that people would understand.

So when we talk about being a creative missionary, it should not limit to the understanding or belief of someone who is good at photography, dance, singing, poetry or any of the fine art skills. Rather to be an effective creative missionary, we are called to know who you are in Christ and how you authentically live out your Christ identity. If you are blessed with the talent and skills of public speaking, then go out and preach the Word of God in front of large crowds. If you are given the gift of music, sing the Word of God. If you can dance, proclaim the Word of God through your body movements. Even if you feel like you have no skills or talent, you can be kind to a stranger and simply smile. A simple act of kindness like holding the door open for someone in a world that promotes individualism and selfishness IS creatively evangelizing.

As YFCs we are young people being and bring Christ wherever we are, by living this out we are all being creative missionaries.

Physical skills and talents you can always learn and acquire over time, practice and dedication. But it all means nothing if we first don’t recognize the heart and reason for it all. And if we don’t already see and know that we are all creative missionaries!

https://youtu.be/VzS-o9oUfJw

In Christ,

Meagan Webb

Everyone has their one true love, or yet to meet them.

Tatay Julio and Inay Leoning, are one another’s one true love.

This week they celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary. As I reflected on the way that they are with each other, I realized that they’re are very impatient with one another, they bicker and yell at each other, and just constantly annoyed with each other. Yet, Tatay always makes sure that Inay takes her medication on time. Inay always makes sure that Tatay has had his coffee and breakfast in the morning. Inay also has dementia. Tatay barely sleeps because he just gazes at her at night, and is upset with himself because he knows his wife is sick and he can’t do anything about it. Inay asks the same question countless times, and after each time she asks, Tatay raises his voice louder and louder.

As lent just ended and we reflected on the passion, Tatay is going through his own passion. He makes the sacrifice to take care of Inay and himself, out of his deep love for her. We make crazy sacrifices for the ones we love, especially our significant others.

I had a conversation with my coworker the other day, and she said that marriage back in the day is just not possible for people in this day in age. I told her she was wrong. People in this day in age are just spoiled. If they don’t get what they want, they whine and complain and give up so easily. Because they have either lost sight or never experienced the Cross. Because the Cross represents authentic love. If you are willing to go through the challenges with your future husband, and focus on your love for one another, then marriage back in the day should be no different than a marriage now.

Praise God for Tatay and Inay, and the sacrifices they make for one another. They have set an example on our family of authentic love.