The very presence of Jesus Christ in the world as the Son of God is a clear teaching of how God does not remain distant, but rather draws near to demonstrate and share his love. As Pope Francis stated: “The Lord knows the fine science of the caress. In his compassion, God does not love us with words; he comes forth to meet us and, by his closeness, he shows us the depth of his tender love.” (Dilexit Nos, Number 36 – quoting a homily June 7, 2013)
In today’s Gospel on the Feast of St. Blase we hear about one of Jesus’ more intense healings. (Mark 5:1-20) Here is a man possessed not by one demon, but by one who calls himself Legion; “there are many of us.” (v.9) The unclean spirits departed the man and entered a large herd of pigs, about two thousand of them, which then ran into the sea and drowned. This healing demonstrates a number of things, not only the number of unclean spirits in this person, but also the invaluable dignity of each person, worth more in the eyes of God than any of us can imagine.
There are many lessons that can be learned from any of these accounts of Jesus’ healing and public ministry, but I wish to draw attention to the conclusion of this particular healing. Once the possessed man regains ‘his right mind’ he pleads with Jesus to be able to go with him. However, Jesus denies the request and rather tells him: “Go home to your family and announce to them all that the Lord in his pity had done for you.” (V.19)
With the conclusion of this account we have such a simple summary of what our mission is as believers in Jesus Christ. Go tell others what the Lord in his great mercy has done for you. After this man is healed, the people from the area (Decapolis) were angry with Jesus and afraid of him and begged him to leave the area. (vs. 16) They were upset about the economic loss they experienced with the destruction of the swine herd, and were also fearful of the power Jesus demonstrated in healing the possessed man.
We get a glimpse of the same community of the Decapolis in Chapter 7 of Mark’s gospel, and the possible impact of the testimony of the healed man who did as Jesus requested – returned home to share his story and give witness to the mercy and love of God he found in the person of Jesus. The community that begged Jesus to depart later not only welcome Jesus upon his return, but bring him another person begging Jesus to heal him. This is a significant turn of events, which is what Jesus asks us to facilitate by our own witness.
Towards the end of his latest encyclical, Dilexit Nos, Pope Francis gives us similar instruction in these words:
Saint Paul VI, addressing religious Congregations dedicated to the spread of devotion to the Sacred Heart, made the following observation. “There can be no doubt that pastoral commitment and missionary zeal will fan into flame, if priests and laity alike, in their desire to spread the glory of God, contemplate the example of eternal love that Christ has shown us, and direct their efforts to make all men and women sharers in the unfathomable riches of Christ”. (May 25, 1965) As we contemplate the Sacred Heart, mission becomes a matter of love. For the greatest danger in mission is that , amid all the things we say and do, we fail to bring about a joyful encounter with the love of Christ who embraces us and saves us.
Mission, as a radiation of the love of the heart of Christ, requires missionaries who are themselves in love and who, enthralled by Christ, feel bound to share this love that has changed their lives.(Dilexit Nos, Numbers 208-209)

Ultimately, my own life as a priest and bishop is a response to the love of Christ as I have experienced this in my own life. Each homily I give, or group I speak with, every meeting is part of the manner in which I give my own testimony to Christ and the absolute difference he makes in my life. My free will choice to love him in return as a celibate priest and bishop, to live my promises each day, is about my desire to give a witness to the world that my life is forever changed and fulfilled because I, too, experienced the mercy and love of Christ, and wish to spend the rest of my days telling others of the life I discovered and wish to share.
So, my friends, be a witness to Christ. It is not about knocking on doors or standing on street corners, but simply, respectfully, sharing your faith in Christ with others, one person at a time. In the words of St. Paul, Do not be ashamed of the Gospel. (Romans 1:16) Be generous distributors of God’s grace. (1 Peter 4:10) This is our mission, which is a mission of love.
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