Among our fondest memories of Mother Teresa, as presented in one movie about her life, is her “gracious stubbornness” in doing her work and her respect for the Pope as she sought approval to establish her congregation. She clearly knew her mission, but she adhered to the age-old Catholic tradition of submission to the authority of the Church.

In today's readings we encounter two slaves and a missionary. Job sees himself as a slave, as he laments his perception that life is “ nothing more than pressed service ” and “ hired drudgery ”. Unlike Job, Paul has great insight into his mission and identity: “ I am not a slave of any man. I have made myself a slave of everyone so as to win as many as I could .”

Both men experienced significant hardship in their lives, but while one saw himself enslaved by circumstances, the other enslaves himself to the Divine economy and thus discovers true freedom (2 Cor 11:20).

Jesus in today's gospel, clearly demonstrates profound insight into his own mission. He himself is under authority as he understands himself as having been sent to preach and to heal: “ that is why I came .” So he heals Simon's mother-in-law and many who were sick and demon-possessed in that town, but he also recognises that he “ must go elsewhere ”.

True missionary that he is, Jesus does not flinch from the task, and as is characteristic of Mark's gospel, he is constantly on the move, preaching, healing and casting out demons. Disciples of Jesus must do no less!

At the recent GO Conference hosted by the Tobago arm of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal speaker after speaker exhorted us to “get up and go” – to the sick, the marginalised and to those with no hope. The recently concluded CCR Caribbean Conference reflected a similar theme: Rise up, preach the gospel, take back the nations.

Today Jesus heals Simon's mother-in-law. As Christians, we often forget the adage that charity begins at home. Sometimes the biggest challenge is to minister in love to our own relatives. We are well on the way to taking back the nations when we dare to take back our families.

In recent times, we have been hearing a lot about the importance of life-long catechesis, and the four elements of catechesis: knowledge, formation, commitment and mission.

The latter are worthy of mention here, because commitment and a mature sense of mission will only develop in a climate that provides us with thorough knowledge of our faith, and opportunities for ongoing formation.

In the letter to the Ephesians (1:1-7), Paul speaks about our being chosen in Christ “ that we should become adopted sons . . . for His own kind purposes .” We have been initiated into the kingdom to be of service to others, and this mission has been entrusted to us by Christ himself: “ Go …make ...baptise ... teach ... and know ...” (Mt 28).

We have been entrusted with Good News. Do we know the News? Do we know it to be Good News? Do we hear the words “ everybody is looking for you ”? Do people recognise in us, as individuals, families and as a Christian community, a significant resource? Do people see us as agents of justice, love and peace?

Do we see ourselves as being “sent” – in our families, our places of work, our neighbourhoods – to make the kingdom more present? How would Trinidad and Tobago be different if there were no Catholics among the population? IS EVERYBODY LOOKING FOR YOU?

Loving God, we ask your forgiveness for the many times we shirked our responsibility to be Good News to others – our relatives and friends, our co-workers, our neighbours.

We ask pardon for all those missed opportunities, and we pray that you give us the graces we need to be better witnesses to your love.

We give you thanks and praise for all those individuals and organisations that persevere in their works of justice, love and peace, often in spite of trying circumstances. Give success to the work of their hands as they bring your healing presence to the sick, the destitute and the downtrodden in our land.

Heavenly Father, we pray that you give all people a sense of mission. Help us to understand that whether we work in the home, the office, the factory or the field, our primary task is to bring your Good News to the world. Amen.

Kenneth and Bernadette Phillips are catechists in St Joseph 's parish, Scarborough.