Living As Missionary Disciples
- Pope Francis in the Joy of the Gospel encourages a new look at who we are: "In virtue of their baptism, all the members of the People of God have become missionary disciples (cf. Mt 28:19). ...Every Christian is a missionary to the extent that he or she has encountered the love of God in Christ Jesus: we no longer say that we are “disciples” and “missionaries”, but rather that we are always “missionary disciples”." (EVANGELII GAUDIUM, paragraph 120)
- Defining Missionary Disciple
- A missionary disciple has encountered Jesus’s love and goes to share His love through word and/or action with whomever they meet and in whatever circumstances they find themselves.
- Three movements of a Missionary Disciple:
- Disciple: We experience and foster a personal encounter with Jesus - sitting at the feet of Jesus, listening and learning, which then propels the disciple to mission.
- Missionary: The act of going and sharing this encounter with others through word and action.
- Steward: As a Missionary Disciple we are responsible guardians in caring for the gifts that God has given us and are open to sharing them.
We encounter - We go - We share!
- Scriptural Images of Missionary Disciples:
- The First Disciples: John 1: 35-51
- The Samaritan Women: John 4: 4-42
- Saul’s (St. Paul) Conversion: Acts 9: 1-22
- 4 Phases of Living As Missionary Disciple:
- Encounter: Encounter the love and saving action of Jesus
- Accompaniment: Walk with someone on their faith journey
- Community: Invite someone to be part of our community
- Send: Share God's love with others through Works of Mercy