“That Was for Me, Now What About My Poor?” – How Mother Teresa’s Powerful Response Inspires Us to Answer the Call to Mission This Mission Sunday

On Mission Sunday, we are reminded that the call to spread Christ's message is not limited to distant lands or heroic acts of sacrifice. The mission begins right where we are, in the everyday encounters of life. One of the most striking examples of living out this mission comes from the life of Mother Teresa of Calcutta.

The Story of Mother Teresa: Love in Action

On one occasion, Mother Teresa approached a wealthy man to ask for financial help to feed the poor. Instead of offering support, the man cruelly spat in her outstretched hands. Without hesitation, Mother Teresa wiped her hands and calmly said, “That was for me. Now, what about something for my poor?”

Her humility, combined with her unwavering commitment to her mission, softened the man's heart. He later became one of her regular benefactors, helping to support her work for many years. This story reflects the depth of Mother Teresa’s dedication and her ability to see beyond personal affronts in order to stay focused on the needs of those she served.

Mother Teresa’s life was marked by tireless work among the poorest of the poor. She demonstrated that missionary work is about love—love in action, love that is willing to endure hardship, and love that reaches out to those who are neglected and forgotten.

The Call of the Great Commission

Mission Sunday serves as a reminder that, like Mother Teresa, we are all called to be missionaries. When Christ gave His apostles the Great Commission, He commanded them to “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation” (Mark 16:15). This command wasn’t just for the Twelve—it’s a call for each of us.

In the early Church, we see remarkable examples of people who took this call to heart. One of the most inspiring is the missionary journey of St. Thomas to India. St. Thomas ventured far from his homeland, sharing the Gospel with those in distant lands, and laying the foundation for Christianity in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. His mission was fraught with challenges, yet he persisted, even to the point of martyrdom.

Just as St. Thomas did, we are called to step out of our comfort zones. Whether we travel to faraway places or reach out to our neighbor, we must carry the Gospel to the ends of the earth, trusting that God’s Word will bear fruit in the lives of those who hear it.

How We Can Support Missions: The Importance of Tithing

Even if we aren’t called to travel the world as missionaries, we can support the mission in meaningful ways. One of the most practical ways is through tithing—offering a portion of our income to support the Church’s work in spreading the Gospel and helping the needy.

Proverbs 3:9 reminds us: “Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your produce.” By giving generously, we participate in the mission of the Church, ensuring that the Gospel reaches those who might otherwise never hear it.

Pope Francis: The Missionary Church in the Digital Age

In Evangelii Gaudium (The Joy of the Gospel), Pope Francis reminds us that the Church must always be outward-looking and missionary in nature. He emphasizes that "the Church must be a place of mercy freely given, where everyone can feel welcomed, loved, forgiven, and encouraged to live the good life of the Gospel." The call to evangelize is not restricted to priests or religious but is a mission for every baptized Catholic.

Pope Francis also highlights the importance of using modern communication methods. He has encouraged the faithful to take advantage of digital platforms to share the Gospel, understanding that "the Internet offers immense possibilities for encounter and solidarity" (Message for World Communications Day, 2014).

BibleOn: A Missionary Tool for the Digital Age

In today’s world, the opportunities to spread the Gospel have expanded in incredible ways. As we embrace this digital age, we are given unprecedented opportunities to fulfill Christ's command to “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation” (Mark 16:15, ESV-CE).

BibleOn is a Bible App available on android, ios and web platforms created with this missionary spirit. Our mission is to make the Word of God accessible to people in every corner of the world, just as Jesus commanded. With multiple language inclusions and a goal to reach 2000 languages by 2033, this Bible App ensures that missionaries and believers can access Scripture in their native tongues. Bible App Features like Parallel Reading support missionaries offering tools that help them better understand and spread the Good News.

BibleOn is not just a Bible app; it’s a missionary tool, free of charge and without ads, designed to support the work of spreading the Gospel to the ends of the earth. We believe that by making Scripture available to all, we are answering Christ’s call to be missionaries in the modern world.

Becoming a Digital Missionary: Your Role Today

In today’s digital age, being a missionary doesn’t necessarily mean traveling to distant lands. Each of us can become a digital missionary by sharing Christ’s message online. Here are practical ways to become a digital missionary in your everyday life, using the BibleOn App—the best free Bible app with audio and advanced features:

• Share the BibleOn Bible App:
  

  Use your social media platforms, WhatsApp groups, and other digital channels to spread the word about BibleOn—the best Bible app with audio, offering a vast range of multilingual audio Bibles and advanced features. BibleOn is completely free and without advertisements, making it the perfect tool for anyone looking to engage with the Word of God daily. Encourage your friends, family, and community to download BibleOn for Scripture reading and audio Bible listening on the go.

Sample Message to Share:
" Discover BibleOn, the best free Bible app with audio. Read and listen to the Bible in multiple languages, offline, and without ads. Download now: www.bibleon.app
Android: https://bit.ly/bibleon-and
iPhone: https://bit.ly/bibleon-ios "

• Post Bible Verses on Social Media:
  

  Inspire your friends and followers by posting daily Bible verses, reflections, and devotionals using BibleOn app. With the BibleOn Catholic Bible app, you have access to Scripture in multiple languages and can use the Bible Verse Image Generator to quickly create beautiful, custom Bible Verse Images with stunning backgrounds and text. This free feature makes sharing God’s Word visually appealing and effortless across your social networks.

• Play BibleOn at Home, Office, or While Traveling
  

  Whether at home, in the office, or on the road, BibleOn is the best Bible app for travel and daily life. Listen to Bible audio anytime, anywhere, and be immersed in God’s Word while relaxing at home, working, or commuting. The app's advanced Bible Audio control features - including the play timer, adjustable speed control, and custom Bible playlists - let you engage with Scripture at your own pace. BibleOn makes it easy to fit the Bible into every part of your day.

• Start Online Bible Studies with Bible Reading Plans
  

  Start alone or gather your friends, family, or colleagues to form an online Bible study group with Bible reading plans. The app offers a variety of Bible reading plans, with access to multiple Bible versions in several languages, allowing you to explore different themes and Scriptures. Additionally, you can request custom Bible reading plans to tailor the experience to your group's specific needs, making BibleOn the best Bible app for group studies.

• Help and Train the Elderly to use the Bible App
  

  Be a digital missionary by helping those less familiar with technology. Assist the elderly or anyone who isn’t tech-savvy in installing and using BibleOn. If you have a sick family member or neighbor, take the time to visit them and set up the BibleOn app on their devices. Show them how to use the Bible audio features so they can stay connected to God’s Word, even if they cannot attend church or read the Holy Bible. BibleOn is designed to be user-friendly, making it the perfect Bible app for seniors or anyone in need.

On this Mission Sunday, consider how you can use the tools at your disposal to spread the Gospel. With platforms like BibleOn, we can reach people across the globe, ensuring that God’s Word is accessible to everyone - from the heart of India to the smallest village in Africa.

By embracing the role of a digital missionary, you are part of a mission that started over 2000 years ago and continues today. Together, we can bring the love of Christ to the ends of the earth.