The spiritual life of a Catholic is anchored in the Word of God. Each day, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) provides a structured encounter with Scripture through the daily Mass readings. For those of us involved in the work of the Pontifical Mission Societies, these readings are more than just a liturgical requirement; they are the primary source of our missionary identity. To have a "missionary spirit" does not necessarily mean boarding a plane to a distant land; it means possessing a heart that is constantly being converted by the Gospel and a will that is ready to share that Gospel through prayer, sacrifice, and support for the universal Church.

As we reflect on the readings for this Friday in the third week of Lent, we are invited to look at the daily readings not just as historical texts, but as a living blueprint for the Society of St. Peter the Apostle and our global mission to support local clergy.

The Foundation of Mission: Personal Conversion

The first reading today from the Prophet Hosea (Hosea 14:2-10) begins with a poignant command: "Return, O Israel, to the Lord, your God." In the context of the missionary spirit, this is the first step. One cannot give what one does not have. To be a missionary is to be a person who has first returned to the Lord.

The Prophet describes the restoration of the soul in botanical terms: the dew, the lily, the cedar, and the olive tree. This imagery reminds us that the growth of the Church in mission territories is a work of God’s grace. When we support the formation of seminarians through the Society of St. Peter the Apostle, we are essentially providing the "soil" and the "water" for these spiritual plants to grow. A native priest in Africa, Asia, or Oceania is like the "blossom of the olive tree" mentioned by Hosea: a sign of God’s enduring presence and the fruitfulness of a community that has returned to Him.

The Great Commandment as the Missionary Mandate

In today’s Gospel (Mark 12:28-34), a scribe asks Jesus, "Which is the first of all the commandments?" Jesus responds by emphasizing the totality of love: love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself.

For the Catholic looking to cultivate a missionary spirit, this passage is the definitive guide. Missionary spirit is simply the "Love of Neighbor" expanded to a global scale. When we read the USCCB daily readings, we should ask ourselves: How does this word challenge me to love my neighbor who is thousands of miles away?

In the work of the Pontifical Mission Societies, our "neighbor" is the young man in a remote village who feels a call to the priesthood but lacks the means for a seminary education. Our neighbor is the local community waiting for a shepherd to celebrate the Eucharist. By focusing on the "Great Commandment," we move from a passive reading of Scripture to an active participation in the Society of St. Peter the Apostle.

Understanding the Society of St. Peter the Apostle

To find missionary spirit in the daily readings, it helps to understand the specific vehicles through which the Church carries out its mission. The Society of St. Peter the Apostle is one of the four Pontifical Mission Societies. Its primary goal is to support the education of local, indigenous clergy and religious brothers and sisters in mission territories.

Historical Context and Purpose:

• Foundation: Founded in 1889 by Stephanie and Jeanne Bigard in Caen, France, after they received a request from a missionary bishop in Japan who needed funds to train local priests.
• Mission: To ensure that the Church can become self-sustaining in every land by cultivating "homegrown" leadership.
• Impact: Today, the society supports over 1,000 seminaries and more than 80,000 seminarians worldwide.

When the daily readings speak of the "harvest being plentiful but the laborers being few," we are directly reminded of our duty to support this Society. You can learn more about our specific history and current projects by visiting The Society of St. Peter the Apostle.

Practical Steps to Reading with a Missionary Spirit

How can a lay Catholic or a member of the clergy transform their daily 10-minute reading of the USCCB website into a missionary exercise? Here are five concrete steps:

1. Pray for the "Local Church" Mentioned or Implied
When the readings mention the "isles" or the "nations," take a moment to pray for a specific mission territory. If the reading is from St. Paul’s letters to the Ephesians or Corinthians, pray for the modern-day successors of those communities in the Middle East or Greece.

2. Identify the "Missionary Character" of the Passage
Every Scripture passage contains a missionary call.

• Prophetic books: Call us to advocate for justice and the spread of God's Word.
• Gospels: Show us the methodology of Jesus: He went out to meet people where they were.
• Acts of the Apostles: Provides the blueprint for the early Church's expansion.

3. Relate the "Laborers" to the Priesthood
As you read about the Apostles or the prophets, think of the seminarians currently in formation. The Society of St. Peter the Apostle relies on the realization that the Word of God requires a voice to proclaim it. Without the priest, the Word remains a text; with the priest, the Word becomes the Flesh of the Eucharist.

4. Practice "Sacrificial Reading"
Lent is a season of sacrifice. Use the daily readings as a reminder to make a small financial sacrifice for the missions. Perhaps the money saved from a skipped coffee or a modest meal can be directed toward a seminarian’s tuition in a mission land.

5. Reflect on "Universal" Solidarity
The USCCB readings are the same readings used by Catholics in Rome, Tokyo, Nairobi, and Manila. This "universality" is the essence of being Catholic. Use the readings to feel the heartbeat of the global Church.

The Vital Role of Local Clergy in Global Mission

A core tenet of our work is the belief that the Gospel is best preached to a culture by those who belong to that culture. This is why the Society of St. Peter the Apostle is so vital. When we read the daily readings, we see that Jesus chose local fishermen to reach the local people of Galilee.

Local clergy understand the language, the customs, and the unique challenges of their people. They are not "visitors"; they are shepherds who "smell like the sheep," as Pope Francis often says. Supporting their formation is the most sustainable way to ensure the future of the Catholic Church.

Current Needs in Mission Territories:

• Building Seminaries: In many parts of Asia and Africa, the number of vocations is booming, but the physical infrastructure is lacking.
• Basic Sustenance: Providing food and healthcare for young men in formation.
• Academic Resources: Supplying Bibles, theological texts, and liturgical books in local languages.

A Lenten Call to Action

In this Friday reflection, we are reminded that "He who is wise understands these things; he who is prudent knows them" (Hosea 14:10). The wisdom of the Catholic faith leads us back to the mission. We are not a closed club; we are a missionary people.

As you close your USCCB tab today, I invite you to carry the "Missionary Spirit" with you. Let the Word of God penetrate your heart so deeply that it overflows into a desire to help others hear that same Word. The seminarians supported by the Society of St. Peter the Apostle are waiting for your prayers and your generosity so that they can one day stand in their own villages and proclaim the same readings you read today.

Let us pray for the grace to see the world through the eyes of Christ, and to respond to the daily readings with a resounding "Yes" to the missionary call.

– Fr. Deji