Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - “Servants and Apostles of Jesus Christ”: this is the theme for the Holy Father Benedict XVI’s Message for the 82nd World Mission Day, which will be celebrated this year on Sunday, October 19. The Pope writes: “On the occasion of World Missions Day, I would like to invite you all to reflect on the urgent need to announce the Gospel, also in our own times. The missionary mandate continues to be an absolute priority for all baptized persons, called to be ‘servants and apostles of Jesus Christ,’ at the dawn of this millenium.”
As a model of the apostolic work, the Holy Father points to Saint Paul, the Apostle of the Gentiles, in the year that we celebrate the jubilee dedicated to him: “The Pauline Year offers us an opportunity to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles, just as the Lord has preached it. How can we not take advantage of this opportunity that this jubilee year offers the local Churches, the Christian communities, and every believer, to propagate the announcement of the Gospel unto the ends of the earth, as the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes? (Rm.1:6).”
In the first paragraph of the Message, Benedict XVI recalls that even today humanity “awaits true liberty” and “redemption.” The international panorama offers a vision of both “promising signs of economic and social progress,” as well as “deep concerns regarding the very future of mankind.” Among these matters of apprehension, he names violence, poverty, discrimination and sometimes even persecution for racial, cultural and religious reasons; technological advancements, “when their end is not the dignity and good of man, and when it is not ordered towards a development of solidarity;” the threat in man’s relationship with the environment “due to the careless use of resources, which has repercussions on man’s physical and mental health.;” and the attacks on human life, that take on various forms and methods. “The answer to these questions about the future comes from the Gospel. Christ is our future. ... St. Paul understood that only in Christ can humanity find redemption and hope.”
While it is “an urgent task that all preach Christ and His saving message,” the Pope highlights that Saint Paul, “on the road to Damascus, he realized that redemption and the mission are the work of God and His love.” It was, in fact, the love of Christ that led him “to the roads of the Roman empire as herald, apostle, announcer and master of the Gospel.” “In the contemplation of Saint Paul’s experience, we realize that missionary activity is a response to the love with which God loves us. His love redeems us and urges us on to the mission ad gentes; it is the spiritual energy capable of making the human family grow in harmony, justice, communion among persons, races and peoples, to which all people aspire.” The Pope recalls that “the primary evangelization continues being necessary and urgent in many parts of the world.” Despite such difficulties as a shortage of priests and a lack of missionary vocations, “Christ's mandate to evangelize all people remains a priority. No reason can justify a relaxation or stopping.” Pope Benedict XVI later recalled: “Today there are a countless number of people awaiting the preaching of the Gospel; they are thirsting for hope and love. How many let themselves be moved in the depths of their hearts by this petition for help the comes forth from humanity, and leave everything for Christ to communicate the faith and love for Him to mankind!” “Let us cast out our nets without fear, trusting in His constant help,” the Holy Father said. He then offered words of advice. To his “dear brother Bishops,” he reminded them that the Bishop, like Saint Paul, is called to “reach out to those who are far off and who do not yet know Christ, or who have not experienced the love that gives freedom; their duty is that of making every diocese a missionary diocese, of willingly contributing, each according to his capacities, in sending priests and lay people to other Churches for the service of evangelization.”
He later asks that priests be “generous pastors and enthusiastic evangelisers,” following in the footsteps of those who, in recent decades, have gone to mission lands as a consequence of the Encyclical Fidei Donum. “I hope that this missionary commitment in local Churches does not diminish despite the lack of priests.” To the religious men and women, the Pope entrusts them with the task of bringing the announcement of the Gospel to everyone, especially to those furthest away, by a coherent witness in Christ and a radical adherence to the Gospel.” Lastly, the lay faithful are called to play an ever more important role in “the spreading of the Gospel in the various sectors of society. Thus, a complex and multiform areopagus in need of evangelization is opened before you: the world.”
Concluding his Message, the Holy Father expresses his hope that the World Missions Day will encourage everyone to “realize the urgent need to preach the Gospel,” and he especially thanks the Pontifical Missionary Societies for the support that they offer all the Dioceses: “They are an effective instrument in encouraging and awakening the missionary responsibility in the People of God and they foster the communion of persons and goods from the various parts of the Mystical Body of Christ. May the collection gathered in all parishes on World Mission Day be a sign of reciprocal communion and solicitude between Churches. Finally, may Christians intensify their prayers, the indispensable spiritual means for spreading the light of Christ among all peoples.” (SL) (Agenzia Fides 14/7/2008)
