EUROPE/ITALY - “How can we comunicate our faith to people of other nations and cultures unless we share it with those nearest to us?” A reflection on “Steps in Christian mission” in the latest book by Mgr. Massimo Camisasca

Wednesday, 27 July 2005

Rome (Fides Service) - The apostles had the courage to go to India, Africa and other distant lands facing countless dangers and difficulties. Many centuries later numerous Christian missionaries still live the same moving experience today. But how can we comunicate our faith to people of other nations and cultures unless we share it with those nearest to us? How can we see the needs of people we encounter in in other places unless we learn to accept the person next door? These challenging questions are posed Mgr. Massimo Camisasca, founder and Superior general of the Priestly Fraternity of the Missionaries of St Charles Borromeo, in his lastest book “Passione per l’uomo - I passi della missione cristiana”. (Passion for mankind - steps of Christian mission)
In the book which is a collection of talks given over a period of two years Mgr. Camisasca reflects on the missionary dimension as a constituent part of the faith of every Christian which calls therefore every believer to give meaning to the encounter and comparison with the people or situations encountered. We give here two short passages from the book.
The principle of education. “Considerations made so far allow us to perceive the ultimate consistency of education to culture, charity and mission. These three dimensions mature us and those around us to the extent to which we put on the “new man” as St Paul said (cfr. Eph 2,15; 4,20-24). A personality which expresses itself in these three dimensions grows by means of constant reference to the origins of a new humanity described by the dimensions themselves. To educate, therefore is to lead people to become ever more aware of the new ontology which has already entered the world.”
The roots of a people. “The Christian message is a proposal which addresses the deepest longing of the human person. Every Christian, but in particolar those responsible for a community, is called to renew this awareness: we are sent to every man and women for something which concerns the very heart of human life. Our proposal is not simply verbal communication it is a sharing of life. But even when it consists only of words, the passion behind it, the look which accompanies it, the tone and meaning in the voice should reveal the desire to share the life of the other person. This is why the Christian message always coincides with the birth of a people. This beginning can be almost invisible, irrelevant from the numerical point of view. But the root is robust, destined to grow, because it is the bearer of a greater Presence. I have already quoted the words with which Jesus says this without any ambiguity: “Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am with them” (Mt 18,20).” (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 27/7/2005 - Righe 31; Parole 440).


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