For this year 2024, Pope Francis' message for the 18th World Mission Day has the motto: "Go and invite everyone to the banquet" (cf. Mt 22:9). Every Christian, from his baptism, is called to be a Disciple/missionary of Christ. And this is the task of the Christian Community. Vocation and task, that is, the call and commitment of all to: First, have a "personal encounter" with the Lord Jesus, who invites and exhorts us to conversion, to the transformation of life. Second, after the encounter comes the "following", that is, living in Christ as the WAY, TRUTH AND LIFE. Such following entails a commitment to change and renewal of life and history.

In the historical synodal framework, as proposed by the Pope, each Christian must commit to making his or her life a “call and invitation” to walk together, inviting many, especially those who are farthest away, to allow themselves to be transformed by Jesus Christ.

The great ecclesial commitment, says Francis, is: “the proclamation of the Gospel in the contemporary world.” It would be a lack of fidelity to the Lord to forget or neglect the missionary commitment. I believe it is vitally important to highlight the verbs: “go” and “call.” The mission is urgent, it requires not wasting time, not being distracted by “superficial” things or situations, not losing “pastoral zeal,” the good care of communities, in the same way, striving to propose the Gospel of Life to those men/women far from the experience of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Calling is like a new awakening, it is an invitation to rethink life from the Gospel. Inviting to Life in God, using Jesus of Nazareth himself, the Son of God, as a model.

Pope Francis insists when he tells us: “The disciples-missionaries of Christ always carry in their hearts the concern for all people of any social or even moral condition.” Let us not cease to be “fruitful” in the mission of continuing the work of Christ, of transmitting our experience of the Kingdom.

I recommend that everyone read and meditate on the Pope’s message for this World Mission Day 2024. In the marginal note, there is the electronic address where this message can be found.

Blessings to all,

Rev. Sergio Arcila

MESSAGE OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS FOR THE 18TH WORLD MISSION DAY 2024

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/messages/missions/documents/20240125-giornata-missionaria.html

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