Mission Spirituality is a dynamic way of being Christian today. Missionaries are committed to bringing the Gospel message of justice and peace to people all over the world. Often this life-giving message is shared in the neediest places in the world. In Ireland, at the core of the work of missionaries is the task of serving the poorest people. This message is at the heart of the gospel; “Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?”. He will answer them; “Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me”. (Matt 25)

Central to Mission Spirituality is the importance of witness to belief. Someone once said; "Your actions shout so loudly I can't hear what you say." Two of our recent Popes say the same thing in different ways in their teachings. Firstly Paul VI – “Modern people listen more willingly to witnesses than to teachers”. (EN No. 41)
And then John Paul II – “The Good News is proclaimed most powerfully in selfless acts of love. By these acts, Christians are both signs and revelations of Christ. This witness is the first and irreplaceable form of mission”. (RM No.42) It is the simplest yet most difficult action to do: to put into practice the great commandment, "Love one another as I have loved you."

Witness can occur on many levels. There is the witness of individual Christians, in their ordinary lives and the witness of the Christian communities.

While witness is often perceived as action there is also need for prayer and reflection, a time to listen to God, a time to reflect on what we are doing, a time to ask for guidance on our work as missionaries. We proclaim God's Kingdom and make it a reality in the world around us by our authentic witness of living out the Gospel lifestyle. This Gospel lifestyle is inclusive of faith and justice, prayer and action, prayer as an individual and prayer as a community.

For prepared prayer services and for materials that relate to Mission spirituality click here

Comments (4)

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written by Ronan Barry, February 24, 2009

would love to read more article by IMU members

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written by Eamon Aylward, April 11, 2009

Me too !!!!!

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written by Phelious, October 07, 2009

dITTO

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written by Maurice, October 07, 2009

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