My dear Sisters of the Missionary Sisters of St. Anthony Mary Claret, especially our two newly professed missionaries who are now being Comm...
My dear Sisters of the Missionary Sisters of St. Anthony Mary Claret, especially our two newly professed missionaries who are now being Commissioned—Sister, as you return to the vibrant mission field of Sri Lanka, and Sister, as you begin your service in Amadeo, Cavite. This moment is a profound confirmation of your "Yes" to God.
The readings today and the life of the great Pope, St. Leo, give us three simple yet powerful words to carry on this journey: Clarity, Courage, and Commissioning.
Clarity: The Simplicity of Heart.
The First Reading from the Book of Wisdom (1:1-7) tells us to "seek him in simplicity of heart." Wisdom—the very Spirit of the Lord that fills the world—will flee from a malicious or deceitful soul. As Missionary Sisters of St. Anthony Mary Claret, your very founder, St. Anthony Mary Claret, was a man consumed by the Clarity of his mission: "a man on fire with love, who spreads its flames wherever he goes."
This clarity is your spiritual GPS. It's not about complex plans; it's about the sincerity of your heart. In the complexity of cross-cultural ministry, and in the daily grind of community life, hold on to that one, clear focus: God loves the world, and you are His love made visible. Let your mind be renewed, focusing on His will, just as your founder taught devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Courage: Faith that Moves Mountains.
The Gospel is startling: "If you had faith like to a grain of mustard seed, you might say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be thou rooted up, and be thou transplanted into the sea,’ and it would obey you."
Missionary life is not for the faint of heart. You will face discouragement, the temptation to scandal, and the challenge of forgiveness—as the Gospel notes, perhaps seven times a day! But sisters, your Courage is not drawn from your own strength, but from the size of your faith, no matter how small. A mustard seed is tiny, but it holds the blueprint for a large tree. Your small acts of faith—the early prayer, the patient forgiveness, the quiet service—will uproot and plant the Kingdom of God in the lives of those you serve. St. Leo the Great defended the Church with unyielding courage against powerful spiritual and political enemies. His fortitude was rooted in his unwavering faith in Christ's divinity. Follow his example.
Commissioning: Guided by His Hand.
Finally, this Mass is your Commissioning. Look to the Responsorial Psalm: "Whither shall I go from thy spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy face?" The answer? Nowhere. And the promise? "Even there also shall thy hand lead me: and thy right hand shall hold me."
Sister, whether you are on the bustling island of Sri Lanka or in the peaceful province of Cavite, you are not going alone. The Spirit of the Lord fills the whole world—He is already in the hearts of the people you will meet. Your Commissioning is simply being led by His hand to where His Spirit is already at work. You are the bearers of the Good News, sent by the one whose love and power cannot be contained.
Dear Sisters, embrace the Clarity of a simple, sincere heart, fueled by the Courage of a mustard-seed faith, as you go forth under this Commissioning to set the world on fire with God's love. May the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the ultimate example of clarity and courage, guide your steps always. Amen.
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