H.E.A.R.T. of a Missionary

Francis "Kiko" Manlunas, a FTW or a "Full Time Worker" shared this acronym in his talk at the Mission Core Group Assembly held at the Holy Family Catholic Church Parish Hall in March 31, 2102.  The MCGR was attended by CFC leadership from, Port Charlotte, Tampa, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Orlando, Lakeland, Miami and other cities in Florida.

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"Go and make disciples of all nations" Mt 28:19, is the great commission.

This is our marching order - to go on mission and evangelize.  We have to perform this task as "evil exists" and if we do not do our task as we have been commissioned to do, then "evil wins".

We must all have or seek to have the HEART of a missionary. The HEART of "one being sent" must be...

H - HEEDFUL, where we must be tuned to God's message for us, where He wants to send us and the people that He sends to us to communicate to us. (Isaiah 55:3, Ephesians 5:17)

E - ENTHUSIASTIC in meeting the day to day activities, regardless of how we may feel, emotionally or physically; we must be excited to be "sent" and bring His glory to His people. (Matthew 25:6)

A - AVAILABLE to perform the work at all times, putting priority in the God's work before us; "forgetting what lies behind, setting our hearts on the prize'' (Luke 9:62)

R - READY, 24 hours a day, where we not only KNOW our faith, and always ready to DEFEND our beliefs (Ephesians 6:13, 15)

T - TRUSTING in God that He will take care of us in all of our needs, physically, emotionally and more importantly that He will empower us as we do His work (Luke 10:19)

We often ask ourselves the proverbial "why"
- it is because we Love God and our Neighbor, the two great commandments.
- and we are "accountable for his blood" or the welfare of our neighbors, (Ezekiel 3:18)

Preparing oneself for missionary work requires a "devotion to the Holy Eucharist" (going to the Holy Mass and receiving the Holy Eucharist, if possible, everyday) our only source for spiritual, emotional and physical strength.

There are pains and gains in being a missionary.  The pain includes the hardship, the difficulties, the rejection,  and the unknown as you are "sent among wolves" (Matthew 10:16-25).  The gain is the joy of working for God and bringing someone closer to him, saving a marriage, or a life in the womb.

The glory to come is incomparable - Matthew 10:42.

How to make real our call as missionaries:
- do not choose where to go.
- make do, Matthew 10:11-13
- love the people and the place where you are sent
- in our profession
- in our family
- with our resources

Questions for reflection
- do I believe in the call of God for the work of Couples for Christ?
- do I have the HEART for the mission?
- do I have the missionary spirit?
- do I encourage / support my children for mission work?
- do I look for opportunities to evangelize in the workplace?
- am I choosy about work?
- do I give up early?

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Compiled by Bro. Sonny Perez at the MCGR Assembly.