“Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20
I regularly attend a parish that has as its Mission Statement, “Leading All Souls to Heaven.” The pastor incorporated this mission into almost every sermon and during most parish events. The thrust of the pastor’s teaching is that “our goal here on Earth is to get to Heaven.” He goes on to say that we accomplish this goal by striving to become saints and living a virtuous life.
In this article I would like to more fully set out “Our Mission Here on Earth” and explain the difference between the goal of “getting to Heaven” and the goal of fulfilling our Baptismal vows in joining with Jesus’ to fulfill his goal of restoring all of God’s Creation.
The Catholic Catechism teaches that our mission on earth is ultimately to share in the communion between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This mission flows from the love of the Trinity itself, and the Church on earth is considered “missionary by nature” because it carries on the mission of Jesus Christ (Catholic Culture: https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/catechism/index.cfm?recnum=2791).
The Catechism refers to Christ’s own mission to evangelize the poor, and teaches that the Church should follow his path of service, sacrifice, and love (Catholic Culture: https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/catechism/index.cfm?recnum=2791).
Listed below are specific citations from the Catechism to support the teaching.
Paragraph 167: “God calls each individual to a specific mission. He calls men and women to follow Christ – the Way, the Truth, and the Life – by sharing in his mission of salvation.” This passage establishes that we each have a role to play in God’s plan.
Paragraph 768: “The mission of the baptized is not just to keep the faith and live according to it. They are also called to be missionaries.” This emphasizes the active nature of our mission, not just personal belief.
**Paragraphs 2785-2787: These paragraphs delve into the concept of the Church as missionary. “Following Christ the evangelizer, the Church constantly preaches the Gospel, and goes out to make disciples of all nations.” This section explains how the Church carries on Jesus’ mission.
Paragraphs 2811-2814: Here, the Catechism speaks of the Holy Spirit’s role in our mission. “The Holy Spirit is the principal agent of mission… He fills and enlivens the Church and impels her towards mission.” This clarifies that our mission is empowered by the Holy Spirit.
The key to understanding our “mission here on Earth” is to understand what actually occurred at our Baptism and what it means to be incorporated into the “Mystical Body of Christ.”
Baptism and the Mystical Body
By being baptized, you become part of the Mystical Body of Christ, which is the Church. This concept emphasizes the interconnectedness of all believers. Just as a body functions best when all its parts work together, the Church functions best when its members contribute their unique gifts to serve others and build up the Kingdom of God. We need to understand the following:
- Incorporation into Christ: Baptism is seen as a sacrament of initiation, incorporating you into the Body of Christ, the Church (Catechism of the Catholic Church, [CCC] Paragraph 1267). This creates a spiritual union with Jesus.
- Sharing in Christ’s Life: Through baptism, you are symbolically “clothed with Christ” (Galatians 3:27) and share in his life, death, and resurrection (CCC Paragraph 1216).
- Gift of the Holy Spirit: Baptism is also the moment you receive the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, who empowers you to live a Christian life (CCC Paragraph 1285).
Scriptural Basis:
The Church finds support for this teaching in various passages of the New Testament, such as:
- Romans 6:3-4: “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.”
- 1 Corinthians 12:13: “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.”
Terminology:
The Church uses various terms to describe this union with Jesus in baptism:
- Incorporation into Christ: Becoming a member of the Body of Christ.
- Sharing in Christ’s Life: Participating in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
- Grafted into the Vine: Referencing John 15:1-8, where Jesus compares himself to the vine and believers to the branches.
Living Out the Union:
While baptism creates this union with Jesus, it’s not a passive state. The Church emphasizes living a life that reflects this connection through:
- Following Christ’s teachings: Living according to the Gospel message.
- Participating in the Sacraments: Regularly attending Mass and receiving other sacraments to nourish your faith.
- Living a virtuous life: Striving to overcome sin and grow in holiness.
In essence, the Catholic Church teaches that baptism is a profound act of grace that unites you with Jesus in a real and lasting way. This union empowers and guides you on your lifelong journey of faith.
Now here’s the difference between having a goal of getting to heaven versus living a life that reflects your baptismal vows and actively participating in the Mystical Body:
Focus:
- Getting to Heaven: This approach prioritizes personal salvation and achieving a reward in the afterlife. The focus is on avoiding sin and performing good deeds to secure a place in heaven.
- Living Baptismal Vows & Participating in the Mystical Body: This approach emphasizes living a life that embodies your baptismal promises. The focus is on actively participating in the Church community, serving others, and contributing to God’s mission on earth.
Motivation:
- Getting to Heaven: The primary motivation might be fear of punishment (hell) or a desire for personal reward (heaven).
- Living Baptismal Vows & Participating in the Mystical Body: The motivation stems from love for God, a desire to live according to Christ’s teachings, and a commitment to building a better world.
Action:
- Getting to Heaven: The actions might be primarily self-focused, like personal prayer and avoiding sin.
- Living Baptismal Vows & Participating in the Mystical Body: The actions involve service to others, participating in the sacraments, sharing your faith, and working for justice and peace in the world.
Relationship with God:
- Getting to Heaven: The emphasis might be on a transactional relationship with God, focusing on fulfilling requirements to receive a reward.
- Living Baptismal Vows & Participating in the Mystical Body: The focus is on a deeper, more intimate relationship with God, built on love, trust, and a desire to follow Christ’s teachings.
Analogy:
Imagine a king throws a grand feast and invites everyone.
- Getting to Heaven: This approach is like attending the feast solely to ensure you get a good meal and a comfortable seat.
- Living Baptismal Vows & Participating in the Mystical Body: This approach is like attending the feast, enjoying the meal with others, and even helping the king serve his guests. You contribute to the joy of the celebration while also enjoying it yourself.
Both Approaches Have Value:
The Catholic Church acknowledges that both approaches have value. The desire for heaven can be a starting point for faith. However, the Church emphasizes the importance of living a life that reflects your baptismal vows and actively participates in the Mystical Body. This approach is seen as a more holistic and Christ-centered way to live your faith.
Conclusion
The Catholic Church teaches that living a saintly life and fulfilling your baptismal promises as a member of the Body of Christ are not separate goals, but rather two sides of the same coin. Here’s how to best combine them:
Focus on Love:
- Both striving for sainthood and fulfilling your baptismal vows stem from love – love for God and love for your neighbor. By keeping this love at the center of your actions, you naturally integrate both aspects of your Christian life.
Live a Virtuous Life:
- Living a virtuous life, avoiding sin, and growing in holiness are essential for both becoming a saint and fulfilling your baptismal promises. A strong moral foundation allows you to serve others effectively and contribute positively to the Body of Christ.
Serve Others:
- Fulfilling your baptismal promise to be a member of the Body of Christ involves using your gifts and talents to serve others. This service, whether within the Church or the wider community, reflects your love for God and your neighbor, and is a key aspect of living a saintly life.
Share Your Faith:
- Sharing your faith with others is both a way to fulfill your baptismal mission and a way to inspire others to live a Christian life. By witnessing to your faith, you contribute to the growth of the Body of Christ and potentially help others on their own path to sainthood.
Examples:
- A doctor: Using their medical skills to care for the sick not only serves others but can also be a form of living a saintly life through acts of charity and compassion.
- A teacher: Educating children with a foundation of Christian values fulfills their baptismal promise by contributing to the Church while also potentially inspiring students to live virtuous lives.
- A parent: Raising children with love and according to Christian principles fulfills their baptismal promise while also contributing to the future of the Church and potentially raising future saints.
Remember:
- Sainthood is a journey, not a destination. Everyone makes mistakes, but the important thing is to strive for continuous growth in holiness.
- Fulfilling your baptismal promises is an ongoing process. Look for opportunities to serve others, share your faith, and participate in the life of the Church in your daily life.
By integrating both aspects into your life, you become a more complete Christian, contributing to the Body of Christ while also growing closer to God on your path to fulfill your mission on earth which is ultimately to share in the communion between the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Sharing
Jesus last words on Earth were to his disciples, can be found in Matthew Chap 28 when Jesus told his disciples, “Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Jesus calls all of us to share in his redemptive mission here on Earth. I would ask you to share this Scripture reflection with your family, your friends and your acquaintances, and then share it with a couple of individuals that you may may not be comfortable sharing with, keeping in mind always the words of Jesus, And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age
Author was assisted by AI in the drafting of this Post