Auspice Maria: Protagonists of Mission

I discovered a phrase while reading a document from the recently concluded synod in Rome. The phrase is “protagonist of mission.” Basically, the phrase comes from the part of the document that speaks of the identity of the baptized. It asserts that every baptized person is a “protagonist of mission.” What does this mean, and how can I apply this to my own identity as a baptized disciple of Jesus Christ and as a member of His Church?

I would like first to explore the word protagonist. It is a term found in literature that refers to the lead character of epic fiction. Sometimes, the character assigned to the protagonist role is also called the story's hero. Some famous literary protagonists are Odysseus, Frodo Baggins, Sherlock Holmes, and Jane Eyre. Odysseus is the main character of the 8th century B.C. Greek poet Homer’s classic The Odyssey. The Odyssey is an epic story of Odysseus’ attempt to return home after the Trojan War. Frodo Baggins is a hobbit, a member of a race of people found in the author J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. Frodo, a reluctant hero, has a mission to bring the One Ring to Mt. Doom for its destruction. It is an enormously important task for a very unassuming hobbit. Sherlock Holmes is the brilliant detective famous from the literary work of author Arthur Conan Doyle. Holmes’s deductive skills lead him to solve many complex mysteries. Finally, Jane Eyre is the character for whom Charlotte Bronte’s classic 1847 novel, Jane Eyre, is named. Orphaned as a girl, she grows to become a governess. Strong-willed and independent, Bronte portrays Jane as a woman of strength and strong character. 

I share some famous examples of protagonists found in well-known and widely read literature to find some commonalities. Protagonists often persevere in trials or struggles, have a strong sense of purpose, and grow from their challenges. If we apply these qualities to our discipleship, what does it look like? A disciple who is a "protagonist of mission" in the Church seeks to persevere amid trials and struggles, discovers and guards securely a sense of purpose, and grows from the challenges. I want to focus on the first of these commonalities: perseverance amid trials and struggles. 

The word persevere comes from two Latin words, “per” and “severare.” It means to be serious through something, usually some trial or difficulty. To maintain seriousness through some trial and difficulty doesn’t mean we can’t talk about the trial or difficulty. We can and should share with another trusted person how hard it may be to endure the situation. We have probably heard someone say to another, “Come on, just grin and bear it.” Many unhealthy patterns of denial and repression develop from just grinning and bearing it.

As disciples committed to the mission of the Church – to proclaim the Gospel, bring people to Christ, and build the Reign of God – it’s necessary to share our struggles and trials with a friend. For example, a married couple facing the painful reality of infertility would very possibly find strength to share their struggles with another trusted couple.  Recently, much has been written about In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). When confronted with the reality of infertility, IVF presents itself as a viable option to couples. However, as Catholic ethicists, nature, and the Church have explained, it is not in accord with God’s revealed plan for conception. Perseverance in fidelity to Church teaching for the couple, while confronting their very good and natural personal desires for a child which go unmet due to infertility, requires great trust. IVF is just one example. Other examples of Church teaching challenge people personally, spiritually, and emotionally. Fidelity to the teachings of the Church while trying to cope with various emotional responses such as grief and sadness requires perseverance. However, it is helpful to persevere with other protagonists of mission by sharing the burden of struggle with them.

Jesus demonstrates the importance of trusted companionship in living out our discipleship by calling twelve men to be his close companions as he ministered among the people. As God, he did not need them. Being fully human, he did. Humanly, Jesus needed to share with these men, St. Mary Magdalene, and the others not mentioned by name. The twelve apostles were an occasional source of consternation and frustration for Jesus, however, humanly, their companionship was necessary for his earthly ministry of salvation. In St. Luke’s Gospel (8:1-3), St. Luke mentions the role of the women who accompanied Jesus: “Afterward he journeyed from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. Accompanying him were the Twelve and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, Susanna, and many others who provided for them out of their resources." St. Luke affirms for readers that Jesus, fully God and fully man, the "protagonist of salvation," chose to share the joys and burdens of ministry with others. 

As we begin this holy season of Lent, awareness and understanding of our Catholic Christian identity is very important to our growth in holiness, which is facilitated through action and decision-making. May I suggest some questions for our Lenten reflection and prayer. What does being a protagonist of mission mean to me? How do I persevere?  Am I too self-reliant? Do I need to cultivate authentic friendships and build supportive relationships with other protagonists? May we use our time well to experience a fruitful Lent. 

-Bishop James Ruggeri