Encounter: Walking with Christ

Have you ever wondered why God placed you exactly where you are?

Not in another country. Not in another century. Not in somebody else's family.

Here. Now.

As Christians, we often think of "mission" as something that belongs to priests, missionaries or saints whose names appear in stained-glass windows. Yet Jesus never spoke that way.

His first disciples were fishermen, tax collectors, labourers and ordinary people. They had families, responsibilities, worries and shortcomings. None imagined they would change the world.

What changed them was an encounter. Andrew encountered Christ and brought his brother Simon. Matthew encountered Christ and left his tax booth. Zacchaeus encountered Christ and his whole life was turned upside down. Mary Magdalene encountered the risen Lord and became the first witness to the Resurrection. Again and again, the Gospel shows that mission begins, not with a plan, but with a person.

Jesus Christ.

That same invitation is offered to every one of us today. Our mission is not first about doing extraordinary things. It begins by allowing Christ to change our own hearts. From there, everything else follows.

For one person, that mission may be raising children in faith. For another, caring patiently for a husband or wife living with illness. It may be visiting a lonely neighbour. Listening without judgement to someone carrying a heavy burden. Welcoming a newcomer at church who is standing alone.

Giving food to someone who has none. Speaking kindly when the easier choice would be anger.

The world rarely notices these things. God always does.

When Jesus described the Last Judgement, he did not ask how famous his followers had become. He asked whether they had recognised him in the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the sick and the imprisoned.

"Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." (Matthew 25:40)

That is our mission.

Not because we are trying to earn God's love, but because we have already received it.

Pope Leo XIV has reminded the Church that we are called to build bridges through dialogue and encounter. Those bridges are not built only by bishops or priests. They are built every time an ordinary Christian reaches out in Christ's name.

Perhaps your mission does not require travelling across the world. Perhaps it begins across the road. Perhaps it begins with a telephone call you have been putting off. Perhaps it begins by forgiving someone. Perhaps it begins by returning to Mass after years away.

Or perhaps it begins by quietly asking Christ, "Lord, what would you have me do?"

At St Charles Borromeo, we believe every person has a place in God's family and every baptised Christian has a part to play in Christ's mission.

The Church is not simply somewhere we go. It is who we are.

So, where is Christ calling you today? Only you can answer that question. But one thing is certain.

Your mission will begin, as it always has, with an encounter with him.