Monday of Week 22 in Ordinary Time
1 Ths 4:13-18
Lk 4:16-30
He has sent me to bring the good news to the poor.
At the end of mass, the priest will say “Go forth, the Mass is ended.” For a long time, I did not know that it means we are being sent forth to go out and proclaim or evangelise. It is, in fact, every Christian’s duty to be a missionary. Sounds daunting, doesn’t it?
My first thought of missionaries was of people who leave their homes to travel the world, preaching the Good News to people, or of saints like St Francis Xavier and Mother Teresa – people who sacrificed their lives to the dedication of evangelisation, to help the poor and the destitute. I marvel at their courage. I didn’t think it’s something I’d be able to do. As they say, the harvest is plenty, but the labourers are few. Many are reluctant, oblivious, or simply do not know how.
Many years later, I have since been on two mission trips to Cambodia. When I first signed up for ACTS (A Call To Share) Mission Trip in 2024, I have to admit I was curious, and I didn’t really know if I was really answering God’s call. Even then, how much could I do and would I know what to do? But God is the ultimate planner and He certainly knows what’s needed to send someone out on mission. It did not happen earlier because He was perhaps preparing me, preparing my heart and my body for what I would be experiencing. So, I went with an open mind and a heart ready to serve. I thought that my main objective was to bring Jesus to them, to talk about Him, to do acts of mercy.
What little did I know! All that was needed was just to be present for one week, to be that face of sunshine and love, and of course to impart some English knowledge and skills. Throughout my mission, I gradually learnt what He meant “to bring good news to the poor”. It is to bring hope to the poor and to bring good news to me – the one who is poor in spirit! I felt so much love through the smiles on their faces, the warmth from their greetings, the surprise hugs and genuine gratitude – all of which make the Cambodians such people worthy of love. They showed true resilience and the mark of good character despite the terrible hardships they endure. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3) It is, in fact, through their physical poverty (but wealth in spirit) that I saw the kingdom of heaven.
Going on mission trips can be physically, mentally and emotionally draining due to the discomforts we’re not used to — the unrelenting scorching heat, the diet, the long and tiring days, all the different emotions we experience, etc. That is why I prayed very hard each day, for the Lord to protect me so that I could fully experience whatever he wanted me to have. I am so thankful for this call to be a missionary – to be sent to share not just my religious beliefs, but all that I am and have, because of what He has done for me. I could not have gone out to do what I did if my heart was half filled, if I was not spiritually prepared through the years of faith building. I feel this immense desire to give to others because of this fullness in my heart, of the love I’ve experienced and all that I’ve received thus far. But that’s not to say that you can’t go on mission trips even if you’re not fully prepared. The Lord will surely prepare you along the way. And everyone comes back changed.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Cynthia Chew)
Prayer: Dear Jesus, you know what’s needed in order to answer your call. Help mend our brokenness and fill our hearts with your love, so that we can go out and bring good news to those who need to hear it, or to those who do not yet know you. Amen.
Thanksgiving: Thank you Jesus, our Lord and Saviour, for the many things you’ve done for us, you’ve been doing for us and you will be doing for us. Amen.
OXYGEN 
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