The Two Hearts of the Church: Mission and Communion
In every age, the Church is called to rediscover the two inseparable realities that form its very heart: an outward impulse for mission and an internal life of communion. These twin purposes animate everything from the Holy See’s global administration to the pastoral life of a local diocese.
A Church Turned Outward
The very nature of our faith is to be directed toward the world. We are a people sent. This missionary calling is not an optional program but the fundamental reason for our existence. As the Lord commanded his apostles, so he commands us.
Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations. (Mt 28:19)
This reality shapes the work of the entire Body of Christ. When the Holy Father calls the Roman Curia—the Church’s central governing body—to become more mission-oriented, he is reminding every Catholic that our structures exist to serve the Gospel. Administration must never become an end in itself, a set of procedures that slows the dynamism of evangelization. Instead, every office, every committee, and every pastoral plan must be evaluated by a single question: Does this help bring the love of Christ to the world?
This principle extends far beyond Rome. Consider the appointment of a new bishop in a diocese with a unique cultural and linguistic landscape, such as that of Tucson. The selection of a shepherd with both administrative acumen and pastoral experience, particularly one proficient in the languages of his flock, underscores that leadership is first and foremost about equipping the local Church for its mission. A leader’s task is to clear the path for the Gospel, ensuring that the diverse gifts of the people are unified in a shared effort to evangelize.
The Inner Life That Fuels the Mission
Missionary zeal cannot be sustained without a deep and authentic communion. The strength of our external witness depends entirely on the quality of our internal life together. The world, so often fractured by polarization and discord, needs to see a community of believers united in genuine love. This is why the Holy Father cautions so strongly against the subtle forces of division that can fester even within the Church. Rigidity that erases legitimate diversity and factionalism that overemphasizes differences are two sides of the same coin; both wound the Body of Christ.
Authentic fraternity is our most compelling public sign. It is a living icon of the Trinity. When colleagues in a Church office, members of a parish council, or families in a neighborhood live in mutual respect and charity, they make the Gospel credible.
By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. (Jn 13:35)
This unity is not a human achievement. It is possible only when we place Jesus at the center of our lives and our work. Personal conversion is the non-negotiable starting point for any institutional reform. Before we can collaborate in a synodal way—listening, discerning, and walking together—we must first allow Christ to heal our own hearts, freeing us from pride and the need for personal advancement.
Putting Mission and Communion into Practice
How can we, as lay Catholics, cultivate these twin virtues in our daily lives? The call to be a missionary people united in love applies to our families, workplaces, and civic communities. It requires conscious effort to build bridges and orient our actions toward the common good. The table below offers concrete ways to translate these high ideals into lived reality.
| Practice | Where to Apply | Why It Serves the Common Good | First Small Step |
|---|---|---|---|
| Placing Christ at the Center | Family decisions, business ethics, parish meetings | It grounds our choices in love and truth, rather than self-interest or passing trends. | Begin any important conversation or meeting with a short, sincere prayer for guidance. |
| Cultivating Fraternity | Workplace relationships, volunteer groups, neighborhood interactions | It provides a powerful witness of unity and respect in a polarized society. | Ask a colleague or neighbor about their life outside of work and listen without judgment. |
| Mission-Oriented Thinking | Parish budgeting, school curriculum planning, personal time management | It ensures that resources and energy are directed toward serving others and sharing the Gospel. | Ask of one recurring activity: “How does this truly serve our mission to love God and neighbor?” |
| Embracing True Dialogue | Political discussions, disagreements with family members, community forums | It seeks understanding and common ground, reflecting the synodal spirit of the Church. | In a disagreement, make it your goal to accurately restate the other person’s position before offering your own. |
| Living with Mercy | Responding to mistakes (our own and others’), engaging with the poor | It reflects the Father’s limitless mercy and makes the love of Christ tangible. | The next time someone apologizes, simply say “I forgive you” without adding any conditions. |
A Checklist for a Synodal Heart
Developing a disposition for mission and communion begins with small, consistent actions. Here is a practical checklist to help form habits of a truly synodal and evangelizing heart:
- Before speaking in a tense discussion, pause to pray for the Holy Spirit’s guidance and for charity toward all involved.
- Identify one administrative process in your parish or workplace that could be simplified to better serve people, and gently propose the change.
- Schedule a coffee or meal with someone in your community with whom you disagree, with the sole purpose of listening to their story.
- Reflect on the anniversaries that shape our faith, like the great Councils of Nicaea and Vatican II, to better understand our roots and ongoing call to engage the world.
- At the end of each day, ask yourself: “Was my life today a witness to the love of Christ?”
The journey of faith is a continuous call to conversion, both for individuals and for the Church as a whole. From the Vatican to the smallest parish, the challenge remains the same: to build a communion so authentic and a missionary spirit so vibrant that the world cannot help but see Christ in our midst. This is the work of a lifetime, sustained by grace and anchored in the enduring truth that true leadership is humble service, true strength is found in unity, and true purpose is found in sharing the boundless mercy of God with all people.
