Renewing the Face of the Earth

Objectives

At the end of the session, the participants are expected to:

1. Deepen understanding of the Great Commission as fulfilled through the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8).

2. Renew awareness that every Christian is called to be a witness of Christ in both life and mission.

3.  Strengthen commitment to worldwide evangelization beginning in the family and local community.

Expanded Outline

I. Introduction

We in MFC will celebrate our 45th Anniversary this month. As we give thanks for God’s faithfulness, may we come to a deeper understanding that we are families empowered by the Holy Spirit, called to renew the face of the earth. This calling is grounded in Jesus’ final instruction to His disciples before He ascended into heaven:

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem,  throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts of the Apostles 1:8

Jesus’ mandate to the Church to proclaim the Gospel and make disciples of all nations. However, Jesus also clearly instructed the disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit before beginning their mission. This reveals that evangelization is not accomplished by human effort alone, but through divine power. 

Thus, Acts 1:8 becomes the key text for our mission: we receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon us, and we are sent as witnesses to the ends of the earth. The call to “renew the face of the earth” is therefore rooted entirely in the power and presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives and families.

II. Empowered by the Holy Spirit

A. God’s Promise

After training and preparing the disciples for three years, Jesus told them not to begin their mission immediately but to wait for the Holy Spirit, promising they would be “clothed with power from on high” (Lk 24:49). Although they were ready in human terms, Jesus emphasized that the worldwide mission could not be accomplished by human effort alone but required divine power. This mission would extend beyond Israel to the whole world, and would only be possible through the Holy Spirit, who would empower them to be Christ’s witnesses “to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

B. A God of Power

The promise of power is significant, for “power belongs to God” (Ps 62:12b). God was now allowing this same power to be availed of by His people, in pursuit of the mission entrusted to them. By this power, God performs signs and wonders through ordinary men (Acts 3:7,12; Rom 15:19), casts out the enemy (Rev 12:10), and raises people from the dead (1 Cor 6:14). This was exactly the kind of power needed to come against the powers of darkness! This was exactly the kind of power we need to assure us of victory and eternal life!

C. Jesus is with us

Jesus walked the earth with his disciples, and so they had the comfort and reassurance of his presence. But how about us? Well, Jesus promised, “I am with you always, until the end of the age.” (Mt 28:20). He has kept his promise by sending us his Holy Spirit.

In fact, even if we might prefer Jesus to be physically present with us as we go on mission, the truth is, as Jesus himself has said, that “it is better for you that I go. For if I do not go, the Advocate will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.” (Jn 16:7). The Advocate is the Holy Spirit.

D. The work of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit works in three main ways: He convicts the world of sin and calls people to repentance for salvation; He guides believers into all truth, leading them deeper into Jesus and forming them as authentic witnesses; and He makes Jesus continually present and active in the Church by speaking, guiding, strengthening, and empowering believers in all aspects of life and mission. Through the Spirit, Jesus remains alive and active among His people until the end of the age.

E. God’s Power in us

The Holy Spirit gives believers “surpassing greatness” of power, not from themselves but from God, so that His power is clearly at work in human weakness. Through this power, Christians are strengthened, enabled to perform God’s works, given boldness in witness, and filled with hope, joy, and peace. This divine power is available to all believers so they can fulfill their mission by relying fully on God rather than on their own strength.

F. Being Witnesses

Christians are called to be witnesses of Christ through holy living and selfless service so that others may encounter God’s love through them. This witness also includes suffering, as the word “witness” is linked to martyrdom, giving one’s life for the faith. The example of Saint Stephen shows Spirit-filled courage and forgiveness even in death. This call continues today, as discipleship means serving like Jesus, denying oneself, and being willing to lose one’s life for His sake in order to gain true life in God.

G. Being Martyrs

Martyrdom in the present Christian life is understood in three levels. First, it means dying to one’s old self by turning away from sin and living anew in Christ. Second, it involves a total surrender of one’s life to Jesus, no longer living for oneself but fully for God’s will and purpose. Third, it includes the willingness, if necessary, to physically lay down one’s life for the faith, following the example of Jesus and His command of self-giving love.

Ultimately, all Christians are called to this spirit of sacrifice, where love is expressed in total self-gift. The Church’s mission is strengthened through such witness, and discipleship means losing one’s life for Christ in order to gain eternal life.

III. Our Mission and Worldwide Work

1. The mission begins in Jerusalem (our home and personal life)

Evangelization begins with personal conversion and family life. The home is the first place of witnessing. Renewal of the world begins with renewal of the family.

2. The mission expands to Judea and Samaria (community and society)

The mission extends beyond the home to neighbors and society. Christians are called to bring Christ into workplaces, schools, and communities. Witness includes both proclamation and service.

3. The mission reaches the ends of the earth (global evangelization)

The Great Commission is universal. Every believer shares in the mission of worldwide evangelization. The Church grows as evangelized communities become mission centers for others.

IV. Conclusion

“We are in the end times. The tsunami of evil is overwhelming the whole world. The Roman Catholic Church has sounded the call to the New Evangelization.” – Frank Padilla

God’s plan is clear: Jesus sends us, to proclaim the Gospel, by being witnesses, making disciples of all nations, through the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8). The mission cannot be fulfilled without the Holy Spirit. But with the Holy Spirit, ordinary believers become instruments of renewal for the world. We are called to renew the face of the earth beginning with our own lives, families, and communities. 

Our MFC Vision: We are an evangelistic and missionary community committed to become families empowered by the Holy Spirit to renew the face of the earth.

Source: Renewing the Face of the Earth, Frank Padilla

Discussion Question

1. How is the Holy Spirit currently at work in my life, and how am I responding to Him?

2. In what concrete ways can my family become a stronger witness of Christ?

3. What part of the “worldwide mission” is God asking me to commit to?