Go and invite everyone to the banquet” (cf. Mt 22:9)

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The theme I have chosen for this year’s World Mission Day is inspired by the parable of the wedding banquet found in the Gospel (cf. Mt 22:1-14). In this parable, after the initial guests refuse the invitation, the king, the central figure in the story, tells his servants: “Go therefore to the thoroughfares, and invite to the marriage feast as many as you find” (Mt 22:9). Upon reflecting on this passage, within both the context of the parable and Jesus’ life, several key aspects of evangelization emerge. These are especially relevant to us, as missionary disciples of Christ, as we move through this final stage of the synodal journey, guided by its theme of “Communion, Participation, Mission.” This journey aims to refocus the Church on her fundamental mission: preaching the Gospel in today’s world.

“Go and invite!” – Mission as a tireless journey of inviting others to the Lord’s banquet

In the king’s command to his servants, we see two essential aspects of the mission: the verbs “go out” and “invite.”

First, the servants had already been sent to deliver the king’s invitation to the guests (cf. Mt 22:3-4). This tells us that mission is a tireless journey to all people, inviting them to encounter God and come into communion with Him. It is tireless because God, rich in love and mercy, constantly reaches out to all people, calling them to the joy of His Kingdom—even when they are indifferent or refuse the invitation. Jesus Christ, as the Good Shepherd, sought out the lost sheep of Israel and reached even farther to bring in the most distant (cf. Jn 10:16). Before and after His resurrection, Jesus instructed His disciples to “Go!”—enlisting them in His mission (cf. Lk 10:3; Mk 16:15). The Church, faithful to this command, continues to go to the ends of the earth, undeterred by challenges or difficulties.

I take this opportunity to thank all the missionaries who have responded to Christ’s call, leaving behind everything to bring the Good News to those who have never heard it or have only recently encountered it. Your generous dedication is a living witness to the “mission ad gentes” entrusted by Jesus to His disciples: “Go and make disciples of all nations” (Mt 28:19). We continue to pray and give thanks for the many new missionary vocations for the task of evangelization across the globe.

Every Christian is called to participate in this universal mission, offering their witness to the Gospel in their daily contexts, so that the Church may always go forth with her Lord to the “crossroads” of today’s world. “The drama of the Church today,” as I’ve said before, “is that Jesus is knocking from inside, asking to be let out!” We often risk becoming a Church that holds the Lord in, but the Lord came for mission, and He wants us to be missionaries. May all of us—the baptized—be ready to go out, according to our state in life, to begin a new wave of missionary outreach, like the first Christians!

The king’s command in the parable doesn’t just instruct the servants to “go” but also to “invite” people to the banquet: “Come to the wedding!” (Mt 22:4). This highlights another vital aspect of mission. As we can imagine, the servants delivered the invitation with urgency, but also with kindness and respect. Likewise, when we bring the Gospel to others, we must mirror the love of the One we proclaim. In announcing “the beauty of God’s saving love made manifest in Jesus Christ,” our mission must be marked by joy, generosity, and benevolence—fruits of the Holy Spirit (cf. Gal 5:22). This is to be done not through pressure or coercion, but with closeness, compassion, and tenderness, reflecting God’s way of being and acting.

 “To the marriage feast” – The eschatological and Eucharistic dimensions of Christ’s mission

In the parable, the king invites people to his son’s wedding banquet, which symbolizes the eschatological banquet in the Kingdom of God. Jesus, the Messiah and Son of God, offers us abundant life (cf. Jn 10:10), symbolized by the banquet table where God will destroy death forever (cf. Is 25:6-8).

Christ’s mission is connected to the fullness of time, as He announced at the beginning of His ministry: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand” (Mk 1:15). His disciples are called to continue this mission. The Second Vatican Council teaches us that missionary activity spans the period between the Lord’s first and second comings, with the Gospel needing to be preached to all nations before He returns (cf. Ad Gentes, 9).

Early Christians had a strong eschatological sense of urgency. Today, we too must evangelize with the joy and hope that comes from knowing “the Lord is near” as we journey towards the final banquet with Christ. While the world offers “banquets” of consumerism, wealth, and individualism, the Gospel invites us to the divine banquet of joy, sharing, justice, and communion with God and others.

This fullness of life is also present in the Eucharistic banquet. The Eucharist, celebrated as the Lord commanded, is a foretaste of the eternal feast with Christ. Every celebration of the Eucharist draws us deeper into the mission that began in the heart of God and is meant to reach all people. As Benedict XVI said, each Eucharistic celebration brings to life the eschatological gathering of God’s people (cf. Sacramentum Caritatis, 31).

We are all called to engage more fully with the Eucharist, deepening our understanding of its eschatological and missionary dimensions. I reiterate that “we cannot approach the Eucharistic table without being drawn into the mission.” Post-Covid, many local Churches are promoting Eucharistic renewal, which will also revive the missionary spirit. With greater faith and enthusiasm, let us proclaim at every Mass: “We proclaim your death, O Lord, and profess your resurrection, until you come again.”

In this year of prayer leading up to the 2025 Jubilee, I encourage everyone to deepen their commitment to participating in the Eucharist and praying for the Church’s mission. The Eucharist and prayer make us pilgrims and missionaries of hope, moving towards eternal life with God.

“Everyone” – The universal mission of Christ’s disciples in a fully synodal and missionary Church

Finally, we reflect on the recipients of the King’s invitation: “everyone.” This highlights the universality of mission: God desires all to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (cf. 1 Tim 2:4). Mission is born from Christ’s heart to draw all people to Him (cf. Address to the General Assembly of the Pontifical Mission Societies, 3 June 2023). In a divided world, the Gospel calls us to unity, inviting all to a divine banquet of joy, justice, and fraternity.

Christ’s disciples must be concerned for all people, regardless of social or moral status. The parable teaches us that God invites both “good and bad” (Mt 22:10), especially the marginalized (cf. Lk 14:21). His love is unconditional, and everyone is invited to receive His grace. All we need to do is say “yes” and be transformed by His love.

This universal mission requires the commitment of all. We must continue to build a synodal, missionary Church. Synodality and mission go hand in hand. Close collaboration, both within local Churches and the universal Church, is essential. The Pontifical Mission Societies remain a vital tool for fostering a missionary spirit and supporting the Church’s needs around the world. The funds collected on World Mission Day go entirely to the universal solidarity fund to support missions everywhere.

Let us lift our gaze to Mary, who interceded for the newlyweds at Cana. Her maternal care is a model for our evangelizing mission today. Let us go forth with joy, bringing everyone the invitation of the King, our Savior. Holy Mary, Star of Evangelization, pray for us!