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Intention

To realise that while we are all called to the same mission, there are many different ways that we can make disciples of Jesus.

Scripture

“As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea – for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, ‘Follow me and I will make you fish for people.’ And immediately they left their nets and followed him.”

– Mark 1:16–18

“And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’”

– Matthew 28:18–20

Reflection

What is the Church’s mission? Why do we exist? When we think about ‘mission’ or ‘missions’, we can tend to think about going overseas to a developing country and caring for the poor and the sick. Whilst this is indeed something the Church should do, there are also many other wonderful humanitarian organisations that do this good work. It’s not only Christians that work for the common good. So, what is distinctive about the Church’s mission?

Jesus first and last words to his disciples give us some insight into the Church’s reason for existence. In Mark’s Gospel, we see Jesus call his disciples with the words, “follow me and I will make you fish for people” (Mark 1:17). We’re called to follow Jesus because he’s going to transform us into something new: those who can ‘fish for people.’ After three years of public ministry, the last thing Jesus says to his disciples, moments before his ascension into heaven, is the Great Commission: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19–20).

Whilst all the baptised are called to care for the poor, sick, prisoner and all the marginalised, the distinctive of the Church’s mission is the gospel. Our mission is not simply to attend to the temporal needs of others. It’s to care for their eternal need. We are called to be fishers of people, make disciples, and reconcile humanity to God.

At times the Church can take a somewhat defensive posture in presenting the truth of the gospel. However, it can be more fruitful to recognise that the truth of the gospel is not rhetoric. It’s not a collection of statements. It’s not even a creed.

It’s a person. His name is Jesus. Our mission of making disciples is the task of introducing people to Jesus, the one who takes away the sins of the world, the one who is the way, the truth and the life, and the one who is the hope for all humanity.

There are many ways to introduce people to Jesus. At times we can confuse our mission with our strategy, and condemn those who have a different strategy (even though we share the same mission).

This is certainly true across denominational divides. So, let us remember that we all have the same mission – to make disciples of Jesus. Some of us will do it with contemporary music, others with a social justice mission, and others with a formal liturgy – but we’re all on the same mission. So, today we thank God for the diversity of strategy that helps us to reach all of humanity with the gospel, embodied in the person of Jesus.

Video

Prayer

God of mercy, we give you praise for your great love in giving us your Son, Jesus. We ask for your Holy Spirit to empower us and inspire us to be authentic disciples, who are effective and fruitful in the mission of introducing others to Jesus.

We thank you for the diversity of strategies that you have inspired across Christian traditions by the power of your Spirit, and ask that you would help us to love one-another in unity as we go about your mission. Glory be to the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Author Bio

Reverend Doctor Peter Pellicaan is a Deacon in the Archdiocese of Brisbane. He is passionate about helping people discover the truth, beauty and goodness of the Catholic faith which leads to an encounter with Jesus most fully experienced in the sacramental life.

He currently serves as the Executive Director of Archdiocesan Ministries, an Agency of the Archdiocese of Brisbane. Peter is married with five children. He holds a Ph.D. in theology from the University of Notre Dame Australia.

Prayer Points for October 2025

1. God to pour out his blessing and Spirit on every church in Australia and its leaders. Hebrews 13:7
2. All churches in Australia to grow in Christlikeness and win people to Christ. Acts 6:7
3. Widespread adoption of Reaching Australia 2033 and its plan to activate every believer in personal evangelism. Acts 1:8
4. Revival for Australia and for millions to come to Christ. Isaiah 64:1–2

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