Listening to the extensive missionary travels of Saint Paul for the past couple of weeks, I was reminded that although his travels were far more extensive, I had my own share of missionary travels during my six years living in Rome. I visited Holy Cross religious in Asia, Africa, and North and South America.
I was also reminded of missionary travels closer to home with my visits to different churches to celebrate mass with different communities in Vermont. I would set out on a Saturday afternoon and travel to a nearby town for a 4 o’clock Mass, then on to another town, spend the night in a trailer, celebrate Mass in the morning, and then on to another town and return to the novitiate, my permanent residence at the time.
I am not sure, if like Paul, I met any "Lydia’s" in my travels, or even received an invitation to have supper in someone’s home. But looking back on that experience I can only wonder if my travels and preaching served to open any hearts to receive Jesus.
Jesus did say that in our efforts to make Him known, loved, and served, we could expect to meet resistance - in part because people still lacked a fuller understanding of who He was, or who the Spirit or the Father was. It is a challenge, but it can also be an exciting challenge - because there continues to be many people, just like Lydia, whose hearts are waiting to be touched.
We do not lack the gifts needed to touch hearts. Jesus provided unique gifts to each one of us and to all of us, the most important gift, the Spirit - the Spirit that will be present whenever we engage others in conversation.
Engaging others in conversation is a valuable tool for touching hearts. We saw that with Paul and his conversation with the women and with Lydia. Conversation leads to preaching.
Whether we realize it or not, we have been given every advantage today to proclaim Jesus Christ and open the door to people’s hearts.
Jesus breathed on us and said receive the Holy Spirit - that is the inspiration we need to go forth and continue to make Jesus known, loved, and served today.
