Welcome to this reflection, especially meaningful as we find ourselves in the heart of Holy Week. Today is Wednesday, April 1, 2026: a day often referred to in our tradition as "Spy Wednesday." It is a day of shadows and heavy choices, but also a day where the light of the Missionary Spirit can shine most clearly if we know where to look.
In my years of ministry and my work with the Pontifical Mission Societies, I’ve found that many people think "mission" is something that only happens in a far-off country, usually involving a backpack and a plane ticket. But the truth is much deeper. Being a missionary is a state of the heart, fueled by the Word of God. Today, I want to walk through the daily readings and show you how they guide us into the heart of the Society of St. Peter the Apostle and the universal call to mission.
The Tongue of the Well-Trained: Isaiah 50:4-9a
In our first reading today from the Prophet Isaiah, we encounter the "Third Servant Song." The passage begins: "The Lord GOD has given me a well-trained tongue, that I might know how to speak to the weary a word that will rouse them."
As I reflect on these words, I immediately think of the thousands of seminarians currently studying in mission territories across Africa, Asia, and Oceania. This is exactly what the Society of St. Peter the Apostle exists to do: to provide the "training" for that tongue.
When we support the formation of local clergy, we aren't just paying for books or tuition. we are answering the call of Isaiah. These young men are being prepared to speak a word of hope to the weary in their own languages, within their own cultures, and among their own people. A "well-trained tongue" in the missionary sense isn't about being a slick orator; it’s about having a heart so steeped in Scripture that every word spoken is an echo of God’s love.
In the mission fields, the "weary" are often those struggling with extreme poverty, the aftermath of conflict, or the isolation of being a religious minority. A local priest, supported by your prayers and the Society of St. Peter the Apostle, is the one who stays when everyone else leaves. He is the one whose ear is "wakened" morning after morning to hear the Lord’s voice so he can share it with his flock.
The Reality of the Mission: Matthew 26:14-25
The Gospel today is a difficult one. We see Judas Iscariot negotiating the price of Jesus’ life: "What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?" It is a stark reminder that even within the inner circle of the Apostles, the mission can be compromised by worldly desires.
In the context of the Missionary Spirit, this Gospel asks us a tough question: What is our "price"? Is our commitment to the Gospel contingent on our comfort? Are we "missionaries" only when it is convenient?
The work of the Society of St. Peter the Apostle is the antidote to the spirit of Judas. While Judas sought "thirty pieces of silver" for himself, the Society was founded by two women, Stephanie and Jeanne Bigard, who gave everything they had to ensure that the mission of Christ would continue through the hands of local priests. They understood that the Church can only truly take root in a new land when the leaders of that Church come from the local community.
When we read about the betrayal of Judas, we should be moved to a greater fidelity. We should pray specifically for our priests and seminarians in mission lands, that they may remain steadfast. They often face temptations and pressures we can hardly imagine: political instability, family expectations to earn a secular living, and sometimes outright persecution. Our daily scripture reading shouldn't just be for our own "spiritual boost"; it should be a bridge of solidarity connecting us to these brave men.
Living the Missionary Spirit Daily
So, how do we live this out? How does a Catholic in 2026 take these ancient texts and turn them into a "Guide to Living the Missionary Spirit"? Here are a few ways I’ve found helpful in my own life and ministry.
1. Read with a Global Lens
When you open the USCCB website for the daily readings, don't just ask, "What does this mean for me today?" Ask, "What does this mean for a seminarian in Malawi?" or "How is a sister in Thailand hearing this Word today?" This shifts our perspective from an individualistic faith to a communal, missionary faith. We are part of a Global Church, and the Word of God is the "connective tissue" that binds us together.
2. Intercessory Scripture Reading
Use the Psalms as your missionary prayer. Today’s Psalm (69) says: "For your sake I bear insult, and shame covers my face." When you pray these lines, offer them for the clergy who are suffering in silence for the sake of the Gospel. Make your daily reading an act of intercession. This is the heart of the Society of St. Peter the Apostle: supporting the "spiritual architecture" of the Church through prayer and sacrifice.
3. Cultivate the "Morning Ear"
Isaiah says the Lord "wakens my ear" each morning. To be a missionary is to be a listener first. Before you check your phone, before you look at the news, look at the Word. Allow the Holy Spirit to set the tone for your day. A missionary isn't someone who brings their own ideas to the world; they bring God’s ideas. We can only do that if we’ve spent time listening.
The Role of the Society of St. Peter the Apostle
I want to speak for a moment about why the Society of St. Peter the Apostle is so vital to this scriptural life. St. Peter, the fisherman, was the first "local" leader of the Church. He wasn't an outsider; he was one of the people.
The Society recognizes that the most effective missionary is often the one who grew up in the village, who knows the customs, the sorrows, and the joys of the people. By supporting the formation of these men, we are ensuring that the "well-trained tongue" Isaiah spoke of is a tongue that speaks the native language of the people’s hearts.
Currently, the Society supports over 700 seminaries and 80,000 seminarians worldwide. Think of that! Eighty thousand men waking up every morning, just like you, to have their ears "wakened" by the Word of God. Your support of the Pontifical Mission Societies makes this possible. It is a direct investment in the future of the Church.
Final Thoughts for Spy Wednesday
As we move toward the Triduum: the most sacred days of our year: let us take the lessons of this "Catholic Guide" to heart. Let us reject the path of Judas, who saw the things of God through the lens of personal gain, and instead embrace the path of the Suffering Servant, who gave his life for the mission.
The Missionary Spirit isn't a program or a budget line item. It is the lifeblood of the Church. It is the conviction that the Good News is too good to keep to ourselves. Whether you are a priest, a layperson, or a seminarian halfway across the globe, we are all united by this one Word, this one Spirit, and this one Mission.
As you reflect on the readings today, I invite you to say a special prayer for the Society of St. Peter the Apostle. Pray for the young men in mission seminaries who are preparing to lay down their lives for Christ. And pray for yourself, that you might have the "well-trained tongue" to speak words of hope to everyone you meet.
May this Holy Week be a time of deep renewal for you and your family. Let the Scripture guide your feet, and let the Missionary Spirit fire your heart.
God bless you, and keep the mission alive.
– Fr. Deji