Pope Francis' message for the 88th World Mission Day, October 19.
World Mission Day is an opportunity for the Catholic faithful across the world to actively support through prayer and concrete gestures of solidarity young Churches in mission lands. As vast numbers of people still do not know Jesus Christ, it is as urgent a task as ever that the Church sends forth missionaries for the evangelization of the world.
For almost 100 years, the Missionary Society of St Columban has joyfully made an active contribution to world evangelization and awareness of its importance amongst the Catholic faithful.
The Far East Magazine presents below a brief summary of Pope's Francis' World Mission Day message and several direct quotes from it.
A) The Joy of Evangelization - Biblical Reflection of Luke 10:21-23
Pope Francis uses this biblical text to shows us how evangelization can lead to great joy.
Jesus had sent the 72 disciples two by two into cities and villages to proclaim that the Kingdom of God was near and to prepare people to meet Jesus. Now after carrying out this mission, they return full of joy. Joy is the dominant theme of this first and unforgettable missionary experience.
Jesus is filled with joy. He rejoices in the Holy Spirit. He praises his Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because he has hidden things from the learned and wise and revealed them to the childlike. The learned and wise who are full of their own importance have no room for God in their lives. Therefore the mysteries of the Kingdom of God are hidden from them. On the other hand, the mysteries of the Kingdom, of the divine lordship of Jesus and the victory over Satan are revealed to the childlike.
The Father is the source of joy, the Son is its manifestation and the Holy Spirit its giver.
B) The great need for evangelization in today's world
The joy of the Gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus. Those who accept his offer of salvation are set free from sin, sorrow, inner emptiness and loneliness. With Christ joy is constantly born anew. (Evangelii Gaudium 1)
The great need in today's world, pervaded by consumerism, is the desolation and anguish born of a complacent yet covetous heart, the feverish pursuit of frivolous pleasures and a blunted conscience. (Evangelii Gaudium 2)
Humanity greatly needs to lay hold of the salvation brought by Christ. His disciples are those who allow themselves to be seized ever more by the love of Jesus and marked by the fire of passion for the Kingdom of God and the proclamation of the joy of the Gospel.
All the Lord's disciples are called to nurture the joy of evangelization.
The Bishops and the missionary commitment of the local Church are called to acknowledge that the joy of communicating Jesus Christ is expressed in a concern to proclaim him in the most distant places as well as in a constant outreach to the peripheries of their own territory where great numbers of the poor are waiting for this message.
C) The joy of a missionary vocation
Many parts of the world are experiencing a dearth of vocations to the priesthood and the consecrated life. Often this is due to the absence of contagious apostolic fervour in communities which lack enthusiasm and thus fail to attract.
The joy of the Gospel is born of the encounter with Christ and from sharing with the poor.
Wherever there is joy, enthusiasm and a desire to bring Christ to others, genuine vocations arise.
Columban Missionaries celebrate World Mission Day 2014
The joy of the Columban missionary vocation:
Today, over 480 Columban Priests and Lay Missionaries work in 16 countries: Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Chile, Peru, Mexico, the United States, the Philippines, Myanmar, Pakistan, Korea, China, Japan, Taiwan, Ireland and Britain.
From the high Andean tablelands of Peru, the deserts of northern Mexico and the Atacama Desert of northern Chile, to the teeming urban barrios of Santiago, Chile and Lima, Peru, Columban missionaries seek to build God's Kingdom of justice, peace, dialogue and solidarity.
From the deserts and cities of Pakistan to the tropical islands of Fiji and the Philippines, Columban missionaries cross boundaries of religion, race, culture, social class and geography to preach Jesus Christ and his Gospel.
From the great cities of Korea, China, Japan and Taiwan to the cities of Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Britain and the United States, Columban missionaries proclaim the joy of encountering Jesus Christ and enthusiastically share their lives with the poor.
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LISTEN TO: Reflection - Let us not be robbed of the joy of evangalisation (Duration: 6:16mins, MP3, 2.86MB) |