The need for missionaries

Last Sunday, we remember our Filipino priests, religious and laity who labor to spread the Kingdom of God abroad.  They are said to be a light, a beacon of faith, hope and charity for others especially where Christianity is still taking root.  Our country has always been dubbed as the only Catholic country in Southeast Asia, and therefore a source and a base where to launch missionary efforts.  However, we will always hear comments from sectors that every missionary that we send, there is a deprivation on our part; admittedly, we lack priests but in our scarcity, it is a beautiful gesture from us that we are still able to share to others men and women who are called by God with willingness to dedicate their lives to the Gospel.

The Lord Himself said, “… the harvest is plenty but the laborers are few.  Pray for more…”  With this, we also celebrate the Feast of St. Ignatius de Loyola, a soldier who was wounded in battle but was inspired by the Holy Spirit to give up his dreams of a courtly life.  Instead, sought a new breed of missionaries to counter the Reformation movement in Europe.  This congregation, whose leader is called a General, endeavored so successfully and effectively that it was suppressed worldwide by the powerful movement of secular forces in Europe.  Fast forward today, they continue to serve the Church in their mission to educate the people of God to seek God in all things for His greater glory.

Let us ask our Blessed Mother to inspire more Filipinos to become missionaries to all nations.

By Johnny Sulit