Friday, November 14, 2025
Friday of the Thirty-Second Week in Ordinary Time
My sisters and brothers in the Lord,
Welcome to week forty-six of BMW, Be My Witnesses. This week we will have a bit of learning by focusing on some texts from the Catechism of the Catholic Church which deal with being missionaries.
Learn: Catechism on Mission
One of my favorite Scripture texts is from Hebrews 12:1-2: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith.” The Gospel of Jesus Christ and its spreading has always relied on a cloud of witnesses. We are each to be a member of that group.
There are three sections of the Catechism which speak about our mission work. The first is found in articles #849-856. Just as the Father’s love sent us his Son as the Witness to the Divine Life, so Jesus has sent his Church. God really wants everyone and he has given us the power of the Holy Spirit to achieve that goal. We are to be Catholic, embracing the whole world with the victory of Jesus Christ over sin and death.
The second section, articles #897-913, deals specifically with the role of the laity in this process. The world is yours. The gift of your Baptism and Confirmation has armed you for this mission to the world. Certainly, all Christians have heard countless times that we are a priestly, prophetic, and kingly people. There are enough sacrifices in every life; all these need to be offered to the Father as our part in carrying out Christ’s sacred work. As prophets, we need to be witnesses, especially by demonstrating that what the world proposes for goodness and truth are often false ideals. We have Christ who is the way, the truth, and the life and he is the one we present to that world. As a kingly people, we show the world that Jesus Christ is Lord and King and that apart from him all exercises of power in our world will not bring us true freedom.
The third section, articles #2044-2046, reminds us that it is by the holiness of our lives that we are true witnesses. Here we are called to conform our moral behavior to the true love of God, even if our society spurns that truth. Deep down, that world we seek to bring to the Kingdom of God knows it is lacking what is truly for the dignity of every human person as well as for the common good.
My Weekly Challenge
My sisters and brothers, this week spend some time reading and reflecting on these three sections of the Catechism. Do so with your small group or with your mission partner. These are our marching orders.
Until next week, may God Bless you.
+ Earl Boyea
Bishop of Lansing
P.S. Here is a video version of this week's Be My Witnesses. Please do share with friends and family. Thank you.