One way to look at missionary work would be to take the attitude of bringing God to the people of a foreign land for the very first time very. However, presently in the Catholic Church, missionaries are taught that people have God present to them and working in their lives in many ways even before they formally adopt Christianity as their faith. Many times, they may be unaware of the different ways God is at work in their lives.
In our first reading in the Acts of the Apostles, we hear of Paul preaching to the people of Athens. It's astounding to hear about Paul's travels throughout the ancient Mediterranean world, but it's even more noteworthy to hear how Paul speaks not only to those who are highly educated in philosophy, but also how he can relate so well to the common people, the city dwellers, the rural residents, and the slaves alike, helping to bring so many diverse people together in the Way of Jesus. In today's reading, Paul makes use of a shrine “to an unknown god” to introduce the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ to the Athenians, telling them that they unknowingly have worshipped the God who made heaven and earth, the God who gives life and breath and all of creation. He is the God that the poets and the philosophers of the world have in common.
Today, as we hear about the zeal and energy of Paul and the disciples of Christ in the Early Church, we celebrate Mary in a special way in the feast of our Lady of Fatima. On this day in 1917, Mary appeared to 3 shepherd children in Fatima, Portugal. The children, aged 7 to 10, were named Jacinta, Francisco, and Lucia. Mary appeared to them once a month from May through October of that year. She asked them to pray the rosary for world peace, for an end to WWI, for sinners, and for the conversion of Russia. This message of the conversion of Russia has made news during the current war between Russia and Ukraine. The feast of Our Lady of Fatima was approved by the local bishop in Portugal in 1930 to mark the date of the first appearance to these children. The feast has been at part of our Church's worldwide calendar since 2002. The main message of Fatima is for us to constantly pray.
I have grown in my devotion to Our Lady of Fatima as we have practiced the first Saturday devotions of Our Lady of Fatima for several years now at Holy Savior, a big commitment for us in our busy schedules, but a commitment I am glad we have made. I also have loved the two visits I have had to Fatima as well.
Our Mother Mary has appeared to the faithful in different forms throughout history. Each time, she has brought converts to the faith through her message of peace, healing, and love. Mary brings the faithful closer to her son. We celebrate Our Lady of Fatima in a special way today. Together with Mary, we pray for our families and for peace in the world.
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