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WORD FOR MISSION Every week CIAM offers
to lay, religious people and priests an itinerary of reflections on the
Sunday Liturgy in a missionary prespective. These are elements for a
missionary meditation, individual or in community, on the Word of God ,
which constantly and surprisingly continues to enlighten, strengthen
and sustain the missionary journey of the Church, for the life of the
World
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For a Christmas of sharing and Missionary spirit
III Sunday of Advent Year C – 17.12.2006
Zephaniah 3:14-18a Psalm: Is 12:2-6 Philippians 4:4-7 Luke 3:10-18
Reflections The insistent call to conversion continues today, addressed by John the Baptist to all classes of people (Gospel). John, as we saw in last week's Gospel, 'appeared' (showed himself) in the desert, on the banks of the Jordan, “proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (Lk.3:3). Luke reports the language of the Precursor without softening it. John shakes his listeners, calling them a “Brood of vipers”: he urges them to produce “fruit in keeping with conversion” and to “produce good fruit” so as not to be thrown into the fire. (Lk.3:7-9). But which conversion, and with what kind of fruit?
Last Sunday, the call to conversion pointed, first of all to a return to God (this might be called the vertical dimension of conversion), preparing the heart to receive His salvation. Today, John gives concrete and precise pointers to a conversion which touches directly relationships with others (the horizontal dimension). Luke refers to three groups of people who, moved by the prophetic rage of the Precursor, ask him “What must we do?” (vv. 10, 12, 14). It is a question that Luke likes, and he repeats it in other missionary conversion stories: the crowds at Pentecost, the gaoler at Philippi, Paul himself on the road to Damascus (see Acts: 2:37, 16:30, 22:10). The questions shows a readiness to change radically: it is the fundamental attitude in every conversion and, at the same time, an appeal to another person who knows how o answer in God's name. Generally, we call such a person a missionary, whether it is a priest, a lay man or woman, a teacher, a catechist...
The three groups of people who go to the Baptist are: the crowds (groups of people not always identified) the tax collectors (also called publicans: the hated group of collaborators with the Roman Empire), and the soldiers (people accustomed to being heavy-handed). They are groups that are often considered to be beyond redemption... The Baptist is not afraid of them, he welcomes them, gives them answers that are fitting and concrete -- and all of them touching on relationships with others, with one's neighbour: the sharing of clothing and food (v.11), justice in dealings with others (v.13) respect and mercy towards all (v.14). All relationships that fall under the fifth and seventh Commandments.
John goes beyond himself and his preaching, pointing towards the uplifting intervention of the Holy Spirit (v.16), who will be poured out like a baptism of fire on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2). Then, indeed, the Spirit will make all things new, and will renew above all the hearts of men and women, and bring together diverse peoples in the single language of love. Then indeed will it be easier to understand that conversion o Christ is sharing with those in need, and is justice and compassion towards everyone. In this way John, who is the model for missionaries of all times, “proclaimed the good news to the people” (v.18).
Personal experience and the proclamation of the “Good News” always bring joy, as is shown in the repeated calls of Zephaniah and of Paul (1st & 2nd Readings) and other liturgical texts. First of all because God rejoices over us, renews us with His love, celebrates with us and rejoices over us with cries of joy. Hence the prophet calls out: “Have no fear; do not let your hands fall limp”, because the Lord God in our midst is a powerful warrior (vv.16-18). Paul refers insistently o the reason for the joy of the believer: the Lord is near, he is present; joy becomes stronger in prayer (vv. 5-7). (*)
Christmas joy is true joy only if it is shared with concrete gestures in favour of those who suffer. A concrete example attracted attention in Italy recently: in the countryside south of Verona a Moslem family suffered the tragic loss of a woman and her baby. The parish priest asked his people to have a collection to help the father and the other children. It was an immediate, concrete and effective initiative: for a Christmas of sharing, of going out (which is what the missionary does) to others. A truly Christian Christmas. Jesus was truly born again in the hearts of the parishioners. Their faith was strengthened, and so will spread!
The Pope's words (*) “By living the Beatitudes, the missionary experiences and shows concretely that the kingdom of God has already come, and that he has accepted it. The characteristic of every authentic missionary life is the inner joy that comes from faith. In a world tormented and oppressed by so many problems, a world tempted to pessimism, the one who proclaims the "Good News" must be a person who has found true hope in Christ.” John Paul II Encyclical Redemptoris Missio (1990), n.91
In the steps of Missionaries - 17/12: St. John of Matha (1154-1213), a French priest, Founder of the Trinitarian Order for the redemption of slaves from the Arabs. - 18/12: International Day for Migrant Workers (UNO, 1990). - 21/12: St. Peter Canisius (1521-1597), a Jesuit priest, Theologian at the Council of Trent, who was a power behind the Catholic Reformation in Central Europe. He composed a Catechism and is a Doctor of the Church. - 22/12: S. Frances Xavier Cabrini (born Lodi 1850, died in Chicago in1917), founded the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to work among the migrants. She started numerous works in their favour. - 23/12: St. John of Kenty (1390-1473), a Polish priest and theologian who taught whole generations of priests. He was a parish priest, gave a wonderful example of prayer and of charitable works. - 23/12: St. Marie Marguerite of Youville (1701-1771), a Canadian laywoman and mother from Quebec. After her husband died she became a nun and foundress. - 23/12: Bl. Antonio da S. Anna Galvão di França (+1822 in São Paulo), a Brazilian Franciscan priest, who spent his life preaching and in acts of penance.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Compiled by Fr. Romeo Ballan, mcci - former Director of CIAM, Rome Translated by Fr. J.M. Troy, mccj Website: www.ciam.org “The Word for Mission” ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ |
