Wednesday Gospel Webinar Portsmouth Diocese – Formation for Mission

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth. O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.

Literal meaning Where? Matthew 10 – somewhere in Galilee When? Second major discourse in Matthew, after many miracles What? ‘missionary’ discourse: Jesus forms his apostles for mission Who? Jesus, apostles How? Jesus sends them out with directives for mission Why? They are to continue and extend his mission in the world

Being a disciple / apostle LOSS natural family independence natural life GAIN Divine family communion Eternal life

Finding God Self-portrait of Jesus, the ‘Apostle’ of the Father Preferred us Took his cross Lost his life Was unwelcomed

Finding the human person Union with Jesus stronger than natural bonds Identification with Jesus in being and in mission Levels of discipleship Losing and Finding: the cross

Finding the Church The family of God The common mission The place of welcome The bond of charity

Mary, Virgin and Mother, you who, moved by the Holy Spirit, welcomed the word of life in the depths of your humble faith: as you gave yourself completely to the Eternal One, help us to say our own “yes” to the urgent call, as pressing as ever, to proclaim the good news of Jesus.   Mother of the living Gospel, wellspring of happiness for God’s little ones, pray for us. Amen. Alleluia.

Acknowledgments Mosaics artworks: © Fr Marko Rupnik and Centro Aletti www.centroaletti.com With gratitude to the Wednesday Word www.wednesdayword.org