A Rich History of Mission

ONLINE REFLECTION, ST. PAUL’S, FOLEY

September 2, 2020

OBSERVANCE:                  The Martyrs of New Guinea, 1942

Despite what our current perception is of the Episcopal Church and our mother church, the Anglican Communion, the truth is that our history is rich with mission work.  Our missionaries have worked in some of the most remote and primitive places in the world.

The 19^th century was an especially active period.  Missionaries – largely from England – spanned the globe in sharing the Good News of God in Christ.  They ventured into Africa, Asia, South America, and the South Pacific.  Anglicans and Episcopalians, of course, were not alone in this endeavor. Other denominations did much the same.  The 1980s movie, The Mission, gave us one such story about Roman Catholic missionaries.

But the 19^th Century is important.  There was a real missionary zeal at that time. In the 1860s, a missionary outpost was established in New Guinea – the second largest island in the world.  The terrain was rugged and the population was not familiar with Christianity.  More than 500 dialects were spoken by the people.  The going was tough for the missionaries.

But in 1891, a missionary diocese was established, and a bishop was chosen. The growth of the church continued.  Progress was made.

New Guinea, of course, is located the South Pacific, just to the north and east of Australia.  It came under the shadow of what would be known as World War II. The Japanese military began to occupy the islands of the South Pacific in the late 1930s.  It was not an easy time to be an English-speaking Christian missionary.

It became obvious that the missionaries’ lives and work were threatened.  But, they continued their work.  They would not back off.  Their work among the people was too important.

So, it was on this date 78 years ago that the Imperial Forces of Japan martyred 10 missionaries ministering in New Guinea – eight Europeans and two natives of the island who were also engaged in mission work.  Today, we remember and give thanks for their ministry – and for their self-giving of their lives.

The 16^th Chapter of the Gospel according to Matthew tells us this: “²⁴ Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. ²⁵ For whoever would save his life^[a] will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.²⁶ For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?”

The Martyrs of New Guinea did just that.  The Gospel sometimes asks much of us.

What are you being asked to do today?

Let us pray:

Almighty God, we remember before you this day the blessed martyrs of New Guinea, who, following the example of their Savior, laid down their lives for their friends; and we pray that we who honor their memory may imitate their loyalty and faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.