As we enter the profound silence and anticipation of Holy Week, the daily readings provided by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) take on a transformative weight. For those of us within The Pontifical Mission Societies, this week is not merely a commemoration of historical events; it is a roadmap for our ongoing mission to the ends of the earth.
When we open the Scriptures, particularly during these solemn days, we are invited to look beyond our immediate surroundings and recognize the universal call of the Gospel. Finding the "missionary spirit" in the daily readings requires a shift in perspective: a transition from reading the Word as a private comfort to reading it as a public commission.
The Servant as a Light for the Nations
In the liturgy for Monday of Holy Week, we are presented with the first of the "Servant Songs" from the Prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 42:1-7). This passage is fundamental to understanding the missionary identity of the Church and, specifically, the vocation of the clergy.
The text speaks of a servant chosen by God, upon whom the Spirit has been placed. The mission of this servant is not localized; God declares that "he shall bring forth justice to the nations." This is the essence of the missionary mandate. As Catholics, when we read these words, we must recognize that the "nations" (the gentes) are still waiting for this justice and light.
In my work and reflection, I often connect this passage to the mission of The Society of St. Peter the Apostle. This specific branch of the Pontifical Mission Societies is dedicated to the formation of local clergy in mission territories. When Isaiah speaks of a servant who will "open the eyes of the blind" and "bring out prisoners from confinement," I see the faces of the thousands of seminarians currently studying in Africa, Asia, and Oceania. They are the "servants" being prepared to be a "light for the nations" within their own cultures and communities.
The Missionary Methodology: Gentleness and Respect
One of the most striking aspects of the missionary spirit found in today’s reading is the method of the mission. Isaiah describes the servant’s approach: "A bruised reed he shall not break, and a smoldering wick he shall not quench."
This is a vital lesson for all who support missionary work. The missionary spirit is not one of spiritual conquest or cultural erasure. Rather, it is an approach of extreme tenderness and respect for human dignity. In our efforts to support the Church’s growth, we do not arrive to "break" the existing culture or "quench" the small flickers of faith already present. Instead, we provide the oil: through education, resources, and spiritual support: that allows that smoldering wick to become a steady flame.
For the Society of St. Peter the Apostle, this means prioritizing the training of indigenous clergy. We believe that the Gospel takes root most effectively when it is preached by those who speak the language, understand the customs, and love the people as their own. By supporting a seminarian in a mission land, we are ensuring that the "bruised reeds" of those societies are handled with the gentle, local hands of a priest who understands their specific struggles.
The Extravagance of Mary and the Value of the Clergy
Moving to the Gospel of the day (John 12:1-11), we find the story of Mary of Bethany anointing the feet of Jesus with costly perfumed oil. The reaction of Judas Iscariot is telling: "Why was this oil not sold for three hundred days' wages and given to the poor?"
Judas presents a utilitarian argument that we often hear today: Why spend money on "religious" things: like the education of priests or the building of seminaries: when there are physical needs to be met?
However, the missionary spirit understands the value of Mary’s "wasteful" love. By anointing Jesus, Mary recognizes His supreme dignity. In the same way, the Church recognizes that providing the world with the Eucharist and the Sacraments is the greatest act of charity we can perform. To have the Sacraments, we must have priests.
The work of The Society of St. Peter the Apostle is an act of "anointing." When our donors provide the funds for a year of seminary training, they are pouring out "perfumed oil" on the Body of Christ. It is an investment in the spiritual future of a community that might otherwise go without the Bread of Life. While we must always care for the poor, we cannot neglect the spiritual poverty that exists where the Word of God has not yet been fully proclaimed.
How to Read the USCCB Readings with a Missionary Lens
To help you find this spirit in your daily habit of prayer, I suggest a three-step approach to the USCCB readings:
- Identify the "Universal" Promise: Look for words like "nations," "isles," "ends of the earth," or "all peoples." Ask yourself: "How is God reaching out to those who do not yet know Him through this text?"
- Look for the "Servant" Figure: Whether it is a prophet, an apostle, or Christ Himself, identify the messenger. Reflect on the fact that today, the "messenger" is often a young man in a mission seminary who depends on your prayers to continue his journey.
- Find the Call to Action: Every reading contains a "sent" quality. The word "Mass" comes from Missio (mission/sending). Ask: "How does this reading send me to support the global Church today?"
The Legacy of the Society of St. Peter the Apostle
It is helpful to remember the history of our societies to see how these daily reflections turn into global movements. The Society of St. Peter the Apostle was born from a simple response to a letter. In 1889, Stephanie and Jeanne Bigard, a mother and daughter in France, received a letter from a bishop in Japan. He expressed his heartbreak at having to turn away young men who wanted to be priests because he had no money to train them.
The Bigards did not just read about the "harvest being great"; they took action. They lived simply and raised the funds to support those first Japanese seminarians. Today, that legacy continues as we support over 30,000 seminarians and 8,000 religious novices in mission territories.
When you read the USCCB readings and see the call to "be a light," remember that this light is carried by real people in difficult circumstances. Our mission is to ensure that no vocation is lost due to a lack of resources.
A Holy Week Reflection
As we progress through Holy Week, the readings will become more focused on the Passion of Christ. This is the ultimate missionary act: Christ being "sent" by the Father to redeem the world.
The missionary spirit is, at its heart, a "Eucharistic" spirit. It is about being broken and shared for the life of the world. As you follow the daily readings this week, I invite you to pray specifically for our brothers in the mission seminaries. They are preparing to stand at the altar and offer the same sacrifice we witness in these texts.
By supporting their formation, you are participating in the very "Covenant of the people" that Isaiah prophesied. You are helping to ensure that the light for the nations never goes out.
Let us look to the daily readings not just for a thought for the day, but for a mission for a lifetime.
– Fr. Deji