Pope: The Apostle of Christ is a witness

by time news

Pope Benedict XVI met with members of the General Assembly of Missionaries of Africa at the Vatican on Monday, May 13. The message given on that occasion encouraged them to embrace the meaning and power of their Siddhi and invited them to become apostles and witnesses through prayer and brotherhood.

C. Rubini CTC, Vatican News

At the outset of the message, the pope regretted that he had unfortunately had to postpone his trip to Congo and South Sudan. Going on a mission at his age is not so easy. But the pope shared that their prayers and example give him courage and that he is confident that he will be able to visit the people he carries in his heart. The pope also announced that on Sunday, July 3, a Mass will be offered in Rome with the Congolese community.

Recalling their 150th anniversary three years ago, the pope said he would like to extend his greetings to the missionary sisters who were with them at the time.

Referring to the resolution of their General Assembly that apostasy should be seen as a prophetic testimony, the Pope expressed his gratitude and “hope” that they were living these days, and that it was a beautiful and grateful sign of good spiritual health that God had taught his people the “lawful” attitude (cf). Rule 8).

Develop a grateful memory of the journey God has allowed us to complete. It is this gratitude that ignites the flame of hope. Papa added. For those who do not know how to thank God for the gifts sown in our way, the Pope made it clear that there is not even a hopeful soul who is open to the wonders of God, who believes in His provisions, even though it is tiring and sometimes painful. The pope said that this spiritual attitude is especially needed to cultivate the seeds of the call that the Lord raises through his spirit and word.

The Pope encouraged them to move forward with gratitude and hope. Because a community that knows how to say “thank you” to God and its brothers is a community that helps one another to hope in the risen Lord. It attracts and supports those who are called.

Prophetic Testimony

Acts is a prophetic testimony Pope Benedict XVI shared his faithfulness to their roots and the power of the Spirit to entrust Cardinal Lavigeri, the founder of their church. The world and Africa change, but that gift retains its meaning and power. The pope explained that to the extent that it leads to a return to Christ and the gospel, it will be safe in you.

If salt loses its flavor, then what is it for? (cf Matthew 5:13) Pope Benedict XVI said, “You must be apostles, not apostles!” They also recalled the words of the head of the church who remembered the exhortation of their church founder. The pope pointed out that one apostle of Christ is “a witness” more than anything else.

Apostle of Jesus

The Apostle of Jesus Christ is not a convert, not a manager, not a scholarly preacher, not a “magician” of information technology, but a witness. This is always true everywhere in the church. But this is especially true of the monastic community like them, who were called to carry out their mission in the early evangelical situations and in places where Islam was predominant.

Testimony

Testimony basically means two things: prayer and brotherhood. An open heart to God and brothers. Above all, in the presence of God in worship, allow Him to look at you every day. “To abide in Christ” (John 15: 1-9) is the condition for becoming an apostle. You can only go if you live in him. The pope reminded that this is the paradox of the mission.

Prayer and brotherhood

The Church must return to the indispensable center of prayer and brotherhood. Returning to this basic center of the Church’s effulgence should not be the same, but should be the same as Pentecost and the first community described in the Acts of the Apostles in various denominations, ministries and institutions.

The pope said that we are often motivated to think of prophecy as a personal reality but that it is, above all, social, and that it is the community that bears witness to the prophet. The pope said he thought of their brotherhood from many countries and cultures, and convinced them that this was not an easy task and a challenge that could only be accepted with the help of the Holy Spirit.

The pope added that their community, which then lives in prayer and brotherhood, must also deal with the environment in which they live, in situations of insecurity and uncertainty, in addition to poverty. The pope said that this small community was sent to live the sweet joy of evangelism and wished his mother in Africa to follow and protect them. The pope gave his prayers and blessings to those present and to their congregation, concluding his message with a request not to forget to pray for him.

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