The Consoling Mother, the Crucified Glory, and the Rejoicing Missionary

Isa 66:10-14c; Psalm: 65; Gal 6:14-18; Lk 10:1-12.17-20

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Today, we will reflect on the Consoling Mother, the Crucified Glory, and the Rejoicing Missionary. These three facets of our faith not only enrich our relationship with God but also empower us to engage with the world around us. Let us begin by considering God as our Consoling Mother, a theme beautifully articulated in the book of Isaiah, chapter sixty-six. Here, we see Jerusalem depicted as a mother and God as the ultimate Consoler. Picture this image in your mind. A mother cradling her child, soothing them with gentle words of comfort. This is the divine embrace we receive from God in our times of affliction.

In moments of pain, confusion, and sorrow, we are invited to lean into God’s comforting presence. It is a promise of joy and life amidst our struggles. Just as a mother rejoices in the well-being of her children, so too does God rejoice over us. The Lord assures us that He will comfort us and fill our hearts with joy. Can you feel this promise in your own life? As we embrace this motherly comfort, we find the strength to face our challenges. The assurance that we are not alone, that God is with us, provides a foundation for our faith. We are reminded that divine comfort is not merely a passive experience. It is a transformative force that propels us into action. When we receive God’s love and care, we are compelled to share it with others, becoming conduits of that same comfort in the lives of those who are hurting.

Now, let us turn to the second theme, our boast in the cross, as Paul writes in Galatians. The cross serves as the source of our true glory. In a world that often seeks glory in personal achievements and accolades, we are called to boast only in the cross of Christ. It is through the cross that we are made new creations. The marks of Jesus are not just scars of suffering; they are symbols of redemption and hope. When we embrace the cross, we are reminded of the grace and peace that flows from it. This grace is not a one-time gift; it is an ongoing source of strength and renewal. Every day, as we take up our crosses, we are invited to experience the transformative power of God’s love. We are marked by His grace, and it is this grace that empowers us to live out our faith with boldness and conviction.

As we reflect on the crucified glory, let us remember the authority we have as followers of Christ. We are called to go forth as joyful missionaries, as we see in Luke’s gospel. Jesus sends out the seventy-two disciples to proclaim the kingdom and to heal the sick. The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. This is our call—to be laborers in God’s vineyard. Missionary spirituality is about more than just doing good works. It is about recognizing the authority we possess over evil and the joy that comes from our identity in Christ. Jesus said that He saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. When we proclaim the kingdom, we are engaging in a spiritual battle, but we do so with the joy of knowing that we are part of something greater than ourselves. The joyful missionary disciple is one who embraces their mission with trust and detachment. We are called to proclaim the kingdom and serve those in need, not for our glory, but for God’s. Our joy is not found in the success of our efforts, but in our identity as beloved children of God. When we understand this, we begin to see that the Church itself is both a mother and a missionary. We are called to nurture one another in faith while also reaching out to those who have yet to know the love of Christ.

As we bring these themes together, let us consider how they apply to our daily lives. We must first receive God’s motherly comfort. Allow yourself to be held in the embrace of God’s love. Next, let us boast only in the cross. In every encounter, let us remember that our identity is rooted in Christ and His sacrifice. Embrace your mission with trust and detachment, knowing that you are called to proclaim the kingdom and serve others with joy. Finally, rejoice in your salvation. Let this joy be the driving force behind all you do. In conclusion, let us uphold the image of God as our Consoling Mother, recognize the crucified glory of the cross, and step forth as rejoicing missionaries. As we do so, may we find comfort, strength, and joy in our shared mission to bring the love of God to a world in need. Amen.

St. Philip Neri, the “Apostle of Joy,” embodied this: “A heart filled with joy is more easily made perfect than one that is sad.”

Pope St. Paul VI taught: “The Church exists to evangelize” (Evangelii Nuntiandi, §14).