We all have a role to play in God’s Mission

HOMILY FOR THE TWENTY-NINTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR C/

WORLD MISSION SUNDAY BY REV, AUGUSTINE ADETOLA

Today is World Mission Sunday. A day we are called to pray for all missionaries all over

the world and to support the work of missions everywhere. In many developing worlds out there, Missionaries are having a lot to contend with to spread the Gospel. They work in places where water, power, and food are very difficult to get. Our prayers on a day like

this help to strengthen them, and our support through money helps them to build

churches, hospitals, and schools for the people they work with.

When we take part in mission through our prayers and donations, we support the work of

God. We contribute our own part to the growth of the Church and the world. Mission is

what we do to save souls. When Paul, in the Second reading today, tells the community to proclaim the Word, he is telling it to all of us and not just individuals. He tells us to

proclaim the word whether it is convenient or not convenient. This is what missionaries do. They preach the Gospel even in the most difficult places.

Mission is work of many hands. Each gifted in many ways, each vital to the whole. We get a good picture of this in the first reading; Joshua fights, Moses prays, and Aaron and Hur

support. If one of them is not faithful to their specific role, the battle will be lost. This is

a reminder that we cannot sustain our faith alone; we need the support and encouragement of others in our community. While there are people on mission, we are

called to pray for them and support them through our donations.

Also, prayer is important for our own lives also because when we face difficulties or feel

tired in our spiritual lives, it is important to lean on our faith community. Just as Aaron

and Hur helped Moses, our friends and family can help us stay strong in faith. Being part

of a community offers support, encouragement, and accountability, which are essential in maintaining our spiritual growth and perseverance. This is what our community should be about. A place where we help one another in prayer, and not a place where we bring ourselves down.

This is what mission entails. Helping others to discover God, know God, and love God. Some are in the field working and saving souls; others are outside sending them money to support the work they are doing, and some are praying that the mission be successful. Our Yes to God’s mission is helping people to be saved. Mission is God’s school for holiness. In the Gospel today, Jesus tells us to be persistent in our prayers, not because God does not know what we need. Jesus knows our needs and worries, but why bother praying then?

We pray to be transformed and learn God’s will. Prayer isn’t about transaction, but

transformation. Prayer does not change God; it changes us. The Gospel highlights the power of persistent prayer through the parable of the persistent widow. This story teaches us that even when we feel like our prayers are unanswered, we should continue to pray and trust in God’s timing. The widow’s determination in asking the unjust judge for justice is a powerful example of how we should approach prayer with persistence and faith. The persistent widow’s actions remind us that we should not lose heart when answers to our prayers are delayed.

Sometimes, we may feel discouraged when our prayers seem unanswered. It can be

tempting to think that God is not listening. However, the Gospel reassures us that God

hears every prayer, even if the response is not immediate. Like the widow, we must

continue to pray and trust that God will bring about justice and peace in His perfect time.

Today, we learn that through prayer, we build a better, happier community. Secondly,

prayer transforms us. Thirdly, prayer helps us to understand God’s will. Don’t stop praying.

Don’t give up. Pray until something happens (P.U.S.H.). We should begin and end our day

with prayers. Lord, help us to be persistent in our prayers and faithful in our actions. Strengthen us with the support of our community and guide us through your word. May we trust in your timing and always seek justice and peace in our lives.

Amen.

Thank You...

I want to thank you all for your support during our Bazaar last week. Your

support, presence, and donations made it a success. Thank you for showing up and letting everyone know that you are part of this Church. Thank you very much.

Secondly, there is a report of the past year of our church with you. It is written in

English only. It contains the financial report of the church in the past year (July

2024-June 2025). Your donations helped us greatly to achieve all we achieved. Thank you. Thirdly, the remaining activities we have for this year include the following:

• Breast Cancer Awareness Sunday is next week. Please let us turn out in pink to pray and support all those who are fighting Cancer.

• All Saints Day is Saturday, November 1, 2025. Mass is at 8:30 am.

• All Souls Day is Sunday, November 2, 2025. Masses as usual on that Sunday, and in the evening at 4 pm, we shall have a prayer service at Paradise North Cemetery. If you have a loved one buried there, kindly join us for a special prayer at their graveside.

• Our Lady of Guadalupe celebration is on December 14, 2025, at 11 am Mass.

• Our Christmas party this year will be on December 21, 2025, at 3 pm. On that day, we

shall celebrate and honor all our parishioners who are 80 years and above. The

organizers of this party are LaTonya, Elzary, and Amber. Let us support them in every

way possible.