Welcome to our Lenten journey. Today is Thursday, March 12, 2026, and as we move deeper into this season of penance and preparation, the Church offers us readings that are as challenging as they are hopeful. For those of us involved in the work of the missions: whether by going, sending, or praying: the scripture today provides a vital roadmap for maintaining our zeal when the world feels particularly heavy.
My name is Deji, and as I reflect on today’s Liturgy of the Word, I am struck by how much our missionary spirit depends on one simple, yet difficult, action: listening. When we look at the state of the world and the immense needs of the global Church, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. But hope isn't found in our own strength; it is found in the "missionary heart" of God, revealed through His Word.
Jeremiah’s Call: The Foundation of Missionary Obedience
In our first reading from the Prophet Jeremiah (Jeremiah 7:23-28), we hear a poignant and somewhat sobering message from the Lord. God says, "Listen to my voice; then I will be your God and you shall be my people. Walk in all the ways that I command you, so that you may prosper."
This is the very essence of the missionary call. Before a priest is ordained in a mission territory, before a sister opens a clinic in a remote village, and before we send our support to The Society of St. Peter the Apostle, there must be an act of listening. Jeremiah reminds us that the tragedy of Israel was not just that they sinned, but that they "walked in the hardness of their evil hearts" and "turned their backs, not their faces" to God.
In the context of missionary hope, this scripture teaches us that our success is not measured by worldly metrics: conversion counts or buildings erected: but by our fidelity to the voice of God. For the young seminarians and novices supported by the Society of St. Peter the Apostle, this "listening" is the core of their formation. They are learning to turn their faces toward God so that they can lead their future flocks to do the same. Hope grows when we stop trying to navigate by our own light and start walking in the ways He commands.
Psalm 95: The Antidote to a Hardened Heart
The Responsorial Psalm today is one of the most famous in the psalter: "If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts." (Psalm 95).
Missionary work is hard. It involves encountering suffering, poverty, and sometimes indifference. For clergy and lay missionaries on the front lines, the temptation to "harden the heart" is a real occupational hazard. When you see the same struggles day after day, a crust can form over the soul as a form of self-protection.
However, the Psalmist invites us to "come, let us bow down in worship; let us kneel before the Lord who made us." This is the antidote to burnout. Hope is renewed when we remember that we are "the people he shepherds, the flock he guides." If you are feeling discouraged in your own "mission territory": whether that’s your workplace, your family, or your parish: take a moment today to soften your heart.
I often think of the indigenous clergy in places like Southeast Asia or Central Africa. These men often serve in areas where they are the only presence of the Church for hundreds of miles. Their hope is grounded in this daily choice: to keep their hearts soft and open to the Holy Spirit, despite the hardships. We support them through our prayers and through the Society of St. Peter the Apostle, ensuring they have the resources to stay spiritually and physically resilient.
Luke 11: The Finger of God and the Unity of Mission
In the Gospel (Luke 11:14-23), Jesus is confronted by those who doubt His power, claiming He drives out demons by the power of Beelzebul. Jesus responds with a profound truth about unity: "Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house."
This passage is a powerful reminder for the global Catholic community. The mission of the Church is a single, unified effort. When we support the formation of local clergy through the Society of St. Peter the Apostle, we are strengthening the "house" of the Church so it does not fall.
Jesus mentions that "if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you." Missionary hope is found in spotting the "finger of God" in our world today. We see it in:
- A new seminary being built in a region where the faith is rapidly growing.
- A young man in a mission land saying "Yes" to a priestly vocation despite his family's poverty.
- The generosity of donors who believe that the Church must have local leaders who speak the language and know the culture.
When we are "with Jesus": as He says at the end of the Gospel: we are gathering, not scattering. Every prayer and every gift to the Pontifical Mission Societies is an act of gathering with Christ.
The Role of the Society of St. Peter the Apostle
The Society of St. Peter the Apostle is one of the four Pontifical Mission Societies, specifically dedicated to the support of local clergy and religious in mission territories. Founded by Stephanie and Jeanne Bigard in 1889, it operates on the belief that for the Church to truly take root in a new land, it must be led by its own people.
Why is this a source of hope? Because it demonstrates the maturity of the Church. Today, many of the territories that were once "mission lands" receiving missionaries are now sending them to the secularized West. This beautiful cycle of faith is only possible because of the long-term investment in seminaries and religious formation.
When we look at scripture through this lens, we see that the "missionary hope" we seek is actually a participate in God's grand design. As noted in Romans 15:13, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope." This hope is not a feeling; it is a power: the power of the Holy Spirit working through the Church’s mission.
Practical Steps to Cultivate Missionary Hope Today
As we reflect on these readings this Thursday in Lent, how can we practically apply this "Missionary Hope" to our lives?
- Practice "Active Listening" to the Word: Spend 10 minutes today in silence with the Jeremiah passage. Ask the Lord: "Where have I turned my back instead of my face?"
- Pray for a Seminarian: Specifically, pray for those in mission territories who are studying under difficult circumstances. They are the future "builders of peace" that Pope Francis calls us to be.
- Support Local Leadership: Consider how you can assist the Society of St. Peter the Apostle. By supporting the formation of local priests, you are ensuring that the "finger of God" continues to work through the Sacraments in every corner of the globe.
- Be a Pilgrim of Hope: In your social circles, speak about the good the Church is doing. We often hear the bad news; be the one who shares the story of a mission seminary or a dedicated missionary priest.
A Final Thought from Fr. Deji
As we move toward the Triduum, let us remember that the Cross was the ultimate test of missionary hope. On that Friday, it looked like the mission had failed. But the Resurrection proved that God’s purposes always stand (Proverbs 19:21).
In today’s scripture, Jesus reminds us that He is the "stronger man" who overcomes the world. If we stay united with Him, if we listen to His voice, and if we support those He has called to lead His flock, we will not just find hope: we will become witnesses of it.
May the God of hope bless you this Lent. Let us keep our hearts soft, our ears open, and our hands ready to serve the global mission of the Church.
– Fr. Deji