Extension welcomes a new contributor, Jack Spatafora. Jack’s style and prose are familiar to readers of newspapers around the country where his “Letters to the Editor” have become commonplace. His twist on contemporary America is seasoned by just enough “experience” to approach wisdom. We hope you enjoy hearing from him as much as we do.

Mission Transforms Us

Okay, let’s shift our focus for just a moment. To change that usual paradigm where we like to live our lives. In other words, to take this over-worked, under-understood word "mission" out for a good spring cleaning...!

So long as our perception of mission is faraway lands of poverty, it's too easy to dissociate ourselves from it. After all, that sort of thing is just for brave people burning with passion, right? And since that's likely not you (or me), we can guiltlessly leave such noble efforts to others, right? The same may even be said when Catholic Extension refers to "under-resourced and isolated communities." How can any of those be found in the big ol’ U.S. of A?

Psychologists tell us guilt is bad for us. But maybe not regret. And so, just like you, I've often regretted how much I've short-changed Jesus' missionary command to feed His lambs. A fast five bucks or even a generous check in the basket on Sunday just doesn't cut it. Lately many of us have begun learning this truth right in our very own comfortable, predictable communities.

Suddenly we're watching abundance here melt into privation. In other parts across America, things are also hard and getting harder. But then leaders remind us: Great trials offer great opportunities. If that sounds counter-intuitive, here's another counter-intuitive idea. Now may be the very best time for you and me to get our missionary feet wet. Right where they're planted!

Look at it this way. Our giving is not as uncomplicated as it once was and we're probably not planning any immediate prayer crusade through the Amazon. So instead, why not make this a legendary time to mission right where we live? Right now more folks in more places all over the country are suddenly a lot more receptive to the Word.

Like who? Like the usual suspects. Family members who have stopped coming to church...open-minded neighbors who've never minded your strong opinions before....co-workers who may object to a preaching mouth, but never to a comforting shoulder. You see, when times get harder, people like these often get softer. Take it from those Mission homilies we’ve all heard — hard times are missionary times.

As I write this, churches across America are staffing meals for the hungry in inner-city parishes...sleep-overs for the homeless in our local churches...social concern support for the needy....communion services for the hospitalized and home-bound....weekend retreats for the young, the married and the elderly.....open enrollment Bible studies in neighborhood homes...plus community-wide teen programs helping kids discover God didn't move, they did.

Tag these efforts with whatever titles you wish, each is a missionary outreach at exactly that time when
hurting folks are reaching out.

Sure, we've had some famous people come from my hometown. Your hometown. Some really famous. However, our latest celebrities don't work in the spotlights. They are the spotlights, illuminating the way for believers and skeptics alike in a year of mounting socio-economic trauma. So it's good to remember, our Church isn't a country club, it's a
missionary movement.

What's happening these days on our very own street corners is happening in every state of the union. The name "mission" may not always get used, but it's tucked inside these everyday efforts just the same. Just remember — "mission" is not only a noun..... it's a verb!