ECCLESIASTICUS / SIRACH 35: 12-14, 16-19
PSALM 33: 2-3, 17-19, 23 R. v. 7
2 TIMOTHY 4: 6-8, 16-19
LUKE 18: 9-14
Today’s first reading and the Gospel lesson that Jesus gives us, is about pride and humility. Jesus had encountered all sorts of people who came to him. He could recognise that many of those who rejected his message did so because of pride. Humility, Jesus is saying, is the door that opens us to God’s message of love.
Mission Sunday today reminds us that humility is an important attitude that is central to the call of love. Love founded on a humble heart will seek and listen to God and will listen to the other person. Our humility is reflected in how we see others, how we treat others and how we respond to difficult situations and how we respond to the suffering of others.
Pride takes joy in the failure of others; humility seeks to find the good in others.
Pride think themselves superior to others; humility is grateful for others.
Pride patronizes; humility supports.
Pride seek to be praise and if that does not happen pride praises himself; humility seeks to praise others.
Pride seeks only to criticize, humility seeks to correct and also to affirm.
Pride questions ‘why we do not have’; humility gives thanks for the blessings of God.
Pride ignores the plight of others; humility reaches out to help.
Pride bullies others when things don’t go their way, humility seeks solutions for to benefit all.
A humble heart would further recognise that what we possess are gifts from God. Hence the humble is compassionate and would seek to share but the proud only thinks of himself.
Pride damages relationships whilst humility builds communion.
God blesses the humble but God condemns the proud.
Humility, like love is not something you can learn, but must grow into. We cannot practice to be humble, it is an attitude within that is nurtured each time we reach out to others with love in the heart.
All this is found in this year’s message for World Mission Sunday. The theme, inspired by Pope Francis’ message for World Mission Sunday 2025 and carried forward by Pope Leo XIV is “Missionaries of Hope Among All Peoples.” It highlights hope and unity, emphasizing how we can collectively turn our faith into action……..to become bearers and builders by serving sharing the joys and sufferings of the weak and vulnerable with compassion and tenderness…….in a world often unfortunately defined by materialism.
In his heartfelt address, Pope Leo XIV reflected on his own missionary journey and the transformative power of faith and generosity. He said, “When I served as a missionary priest and bishop in Peru, I saw first-hand how the faith, prayer and generosity shown on World Mission Sunday can transform entire communities.
So on behalf of Pope Leo XIV and Catholic missionaries living and serving amongst the poor and vulnerable peoples of our world, thank you so much for your regular monthly and annual support for the Catholic Mission’s Propagation of the Faith.
The bulletin has information on how you can contribute this year and there are envelopes in the foyer in which you can place your donation and return it next week.
Merredin Catholic Parish 