When I was a child there was a great emphasis on overseas missionaries and their work. We were encouraged to contribute pennies from our pocket money to support it. Somehow the work of missionaries was something others did, we really did not get involved other than supporting them with prayer and resources. Of course this is still vitally important and many of us have missionary orders we have supported for some time.

The truth is, however, that all of us live in missionary territory, more so than ever with the secularisation of our society. All of us have a share in the priesthood of Christ in various ways and are therefore called to share the good news of the Gospel and call those around us to conversion to belief in God and the Lord Jesus. For some, such as priests, deacons and religious, it is a calling of total dedication, however every Christian is called to be evangelist. There are many ways of doing this but perhaps in everyday life it is done by the example of a life lived well in the love of God and our neighbour. It is through living good faith filled lives that we attract people to the Lord. In the early church what attracted people to it was they way in which the Christian community lived their lives with each other and in society at large. They demonstrably lived the life of love in Christ.

Do people in our neighbourhoods know that we are Christians? Do we show this in how we live and what we do? Are we the face, words, and actions of Jesus in our world? We have the good news of love and eternal life to share with others who are in desperate need of it. All we need a little bit of courage and faith, the Holy Spirit will do the rest.

This weekend we welcome Father Paddy of the Xaverian Missionaries who will share with us his perspectives on being an ambassador for Christ.

God willing, I leave for Lourdes tomorrow for two weeks serving as a chaplain to the sick. Please be assured of my prayers for your intentions during my time there. If you have a particular intention please feel free to post it to: office.stjeannejugan@dioceseofleeds.org.uk

Please be assured of my ongoing prayers for your needs and intentions.

Fr Chris