The mission field is there for the taking. It is where you are now, where you were yesterday, and where you will be tomorrow. Each day brings new opportunities to promote your faith, either by word or deed.  

As I was approaching my teens, a visiting missionary family spoke at our church.  The parents, surrounded by their children, talked about their life and work in the mission field. While they spoke, I couldn’t get past the picture I’d conjured up, as if my creative brain got stuck like a needle on a vinyl record. My mind kept replaying an image similar to Millet’s painting, The Angelus. All I could see was them, children included, standing in the middle of a field with their heads bowed in prayer.  

Another misconception I had about missions and missionary life was that one had to live in a foreign country. And be poor. The romantic part of me wanted to join, but then the practical part of me pointed out the lack of plumbing. No thanks, I passed on the missionary life — or so I thought! 

“Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.” | Mk 16:15

The Wikipedia definition of missionary is “a member of a religious group who is sent into an area in order to promote its faith.” This can be broken up into three parts:

1. Member of a religious group. There is no requirement to be clergy or professed religious. I fall into the group of Catholic laity, and according to the Second Vatican Council, my mission is to sanctify the world, which ties into the second part of this definition. 

2. Sent into an area. No mention of foreign soil is given, or details as to its location. My search for this area led me to the Great Commission in Mark’s gospel. The last words the risen Lord speaks to His apostles describe this area, this mission field.  He tells them to, “Go into all the world…” 

All the world. So, if I understand my geography correctly, that pretty much covers everywhere. Wherever you go, there you are! For example, when you look at your location on your phone, it pinpoints exactly where you are standing at that moment. This is your mission field.  

3. Promote its faith. This brings us full circle to sanctifying the world. It is the process of fostering devotion to God and a life of virtue. It’s cultivating the seed of faith that is within you and then, like the legend of Johnny Appleseed, spreading seeds as you go along.  

“In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” | Mt 5:16   

My most fruitful mission field is a six-by-nine-foot room disguised as a dental office. For close to forty-five years, I have been painstakingly picking plaque from people’s teeth. This is what comes to mind when you think of a dental hygienist, but it is only part of my multifaceted job. Patient interaction is an important aspect, and for that I rely heavily on my God-given gift — excellent interpersonal skills. 

Although my job is repetitive, no two days are alike. The patient is the variable that changes everything, ranging in age from 3 to 93. It is safe to say that people experience a wide array of emotions at the dentist: fear, anxiety, panic, uncertainty, distrust… You get the idea. Most people just don’t want to be there.  Over time, as people get to know me, those emotions change and very often disappear altogether. I have a formula for that.  

Each patient I see receives the same dose of unconditional love, patience and compassion. I listen to what they have to say, not just about their teeth; I am invited into their personal lives to varying degrees. They share heartbreaking stories, and I try to lift their pain, if only for a moment. A widow/widower comes in, and their emptiness fills the room; we hug, and for the moment they are no longer alone.  

We also share joys. I make sure to see the latest photo of the grandchildren (no one has ever refused) or of a recent wedding. I celebrate when a high school senior gets into their college of choice. A first-grader and I high-five when they’re done. We make connections.  

Wait a minute, didn’t I start off saying that I would promote my faith? How could I be witnessing if I never preached the Good News? I never mentioned the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus’ miracles, or the Resurrection of Our Lord.  

A person can witness two ways, either verbally or by example. Or both (I guess that would make it three ways). I am more comfortable being an example of my faith rather than talking about it. 

“Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.” | Heb 13:2  

Yes, you say, it is easy for me because I am getting paid to be nice. What about the times I’m off the clock? One example that comes to mind is the Ocean State Job Lot store in my hometown mission field. 

One Saturday morning, a woman’s thick Portuguese accent carried to the aisle where I was standing, taking in the scents of coconut, caramel, and chocolate-flavored coffee. She was clearly excited about something, and her conversation became background noise, blending in with fussy children, cranky husbands, and PA announcements — until I heard her say “digestives.” That got my attention. 

I walked one aisle over and, like a character on a Progressive commercial, joined in the conversation. The woman speaking was the same height as me, and we craned our necks to look at the third woman’s face, whose hair matches her gray, wire-rimmed glasses. I sang the praises of digestives and explained that the combination of cookies and crackers settles an upset stomach. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the  Portuguese woman smiling and nodding in agreement. A bond was made, and we talked about many things before our conversation got personal. They wanted to know why my arm was in a sling.  

Explaining my recent surgery, the Portuguese woman told us she also had shoulder surgery and commiserated with me about the healing process. She remembered the difficulty she had putting on intimate apparel and then, as if playing charades, gave us an animated demonstration. We watched as she spun around an invisible strap, grunting to emphasize the effort involved. Leaning down, the older woman very calmly whispered, “I just use the kind that closes in the front.” We are confidantes. 

All smiles, we said our goodbyes and I went in search of the friend I came in with. We laughed as I told her what transpired, but she wasn’t surprised. One could say it is my modus operandi.  

Of all the fruits of the Spirit, joy seems to be my largest crop. It could be because my name means song of joy, but it is ever-present in my life, and I feel compelled to share it. The paradox is the more I share it, the more I receive it. Joy is the seed I spread as I go along. 

“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” | Jn 15:12 

As Robert Baden-Powell once said, “Try to leave this world a little better than  you found it…”

The way to do this is to bring the light of Jesus Christ to those you encounter.

All the people.

All the world.   

More Catholic Resources On Mission And Evangelization

Catholic Evangelization

Rescued: The Unexpected and Extraordinary News of the Gospel

Foundations for Discipleship

The Urgency of the New Evangelization: Answering the Call

Image: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Angelus_(painting)