Lesson 1.

From Ecclesio-centric to Theocentric Understanding of Mission

At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

CONTEXT
You are undoubtedly familiar with the word “mission” because it has become part of everyday
speech. You might have heard this word being used in a religious context if you are a Christian
because it belongs mainly to the Christian vocabulary. To some extent, however, the word is
also used by religious traditions other than Christianity. The word can have different meanings
for different people. The meaning may also vary depending on the context in which the word is
used. The following questions are only meant to be pondered.

1. List and explain several meanings of the word “mission” according to the context in
which it is used.
2. In your list above, which one is the most common meaning? Why?
3. The term mission can be understood in different ways and applied in different contexts.
In a religious sense, it may also be rich in definitions respective of the religious traditions
that use the term. In the succeeding texts mission is presented in lieu of how it is
understood and valued in Catholic circles.

The Bible presents to us several concepts of mission. In the text, Luke, the Gospel writer, tells
us that Jesus sends his disciples to do something. Sending is an integral part of the Christian
idea of mission. When we go on a mission, we do so because somebody sends us. The
mission, therefore, does not belong to us. We are mere collaborators of the one sending us.
Where to go on a mission and how the mission is done depends not on us but also on sending
us. In the story you just read, he sent his disciples and gave them instructions on how to go
about the mission.

Jesus uses the analogy of the workers in the field to describe missionaries and what they do.
The workers are sent to harvest the crops and gather them in the granary. In like manner,
missionaries as workers are tasked to gather people into fellowship with God. Seemingly, there
are not many of these workers, so that Jesus tells his disciples: “A large crop is in the fields, but
there are only a few workers. Ask the Lord in charge of the harvest to send out workers to bring
the harvest in.”

The story proceeds, and we hear a piece of advice or a warning given to the workers: “Go your
way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs among wolves.” Lambs are never safe in a pack of
wolves. The wolves will devour the lambs! In ancient times, to be a Christian missionary meant
to live a dangerous life. Many Christian missionaries suffered martyrdom for the faith. In our
times, some places are not any safer for missionaries. We still hear people getting killed
because they are Christians. To do missionary work is not easy because there will always be
opposition from others.

Then comes a puzzling instruction from the sender: “Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no
sandals, and greet no one on the road.” The first part of the instruction about not taking along
moneybags, or knapsacks, or sandals is related to the second part about not wasting time. A

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 moneybag, a knapsack, or a pair of sandals may become a burden or a distraction to the
missionary who is supposed to be concerned only with the mission. He always has to carry and
protect his money or bag or repair his sandals or look for another pair if they get worn out. His
focus is no longer the mission that is urgent and the only important thing for the missionary.
These things are the least of his concerns.

The passage tells us certain essential things about the Christian as a missionary – and about
each of us who are, by our humanity, concerned with the welfare of others. Here they are: The
missionary is not to be cluttered up with material things; he is to travel light. It is easy to get
entangled in the things of this life. Our material possession can cloud our vision if we are not
careful. Instead of helping us to become more accessible, they can enslave us. For example, if
you are obsessed with buying a smartphone worth P50, 000.00 but you do not have the means
to buy it, you will have some problems. And if you were able to buy it at last by availing yourself
of a loan, you will have to guard it with all your might so that you won’t lose it. It is like your
phone has taken control of part of your life.

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