4
4elise
Guest
Pentecost is just a few weeks away - and I wondered if anyone would be interested in a discussion on ways we can support the international mission of the Church - the Mission Ad Genets - in preparation of Pentecost.
This is from 2005 - but I think it is so well put and perhaps can initiate a disucussion:
A Statement of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
The Great Call of Apostleship
In his last words to the apostles, the Lord Jesus Christ gave them a mission: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Mt 28:19-20).
“Jesus Christ—the Word made flesh and Son of the Father—has an absolutely unique role in the salvation of the world. Similarly, the [Catholic] Church . . . uniquely contains the means of continuing Christ’s saving mission” (Bishop Joseph Fiorenza, Statement on Dominus Iesus, 2000).
Christ’s instruction to the apostles was a great call to those who became the first bishops and the first missionaries of the Church. They were told to go ad gentes—that is, “to the nations,” to those who did not know Christ—and to proclaim the Gospel. Because the apostles were faithful and obedient to Christ’s command, his Church has grown and flourished.
The responsibility for fulfilling that mandate passes on unchanged to the bishops and to all the Catholics of today. The word “catholic”—that is, “universal”—embodies God’s purpose for his Church. He wants to extend it to the farthest corners of the earth. He wants to show all people his love and mercy.
Our prayers, our support, and maybe packing a bag and going ourselves!
We are all missionaries by nature of our Baptism - and can certainly do so in our lives here - it is a discussion of the mission Ad Gentes - to the nations - that I would like to direct this forum ---- I would love to hear your ideas, suggestions, any ways you may get your parish excited about their missionary role - we can all learn from each other!
Peace -
This is from 2005 - but I think it is so well put and perhaps can initiate a disucussion:
A Statement of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
The Great Call of Apostleship
In his last words to the apostles, the Lord Jesus Christ gave them a mission: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Mt 28:19-20).
“Jesus Christ—the Word made flesh and Son of the Father—has an absolutely unique role in the salvation of the world. Similarly, the [Catholic] Church . . . uniquely contains the means of continuing Christ’s saving mission” (Bishop Joseph Fiorenza, Statement on Dominus Iesus, 2000).
Christ’s instruction to the apostles was a great call to those who became the first bishops and the first missionaries of the Church. They were told to go ad gentes—that is, “to the nations,” to those who did not know Christ—and to proclaim the Gospel. Because the apostles were faithful and obedient to Christ’s command, his Church has grown and flourished.
The responsibility for fulfilling that mandate passes on unchanged to the bishops and to all the Catholics of today. The word “catholic”—that is, “universal”—embodies God’s purpose for his Church. He wants to extend it to the farthest corners of the earth. He wants to show all people his love and mercy.
Our prayers, our support, and maybe packing a bag and going ourselves!
We are all missionaries by nature of our Baptism - and can certainly do so in our lives here - it is a discussion of the mission Ad Gentes - to the nations - that I would like to direct this forum ---- I would love to hear your ideas, suggestions, any ways you may get your parish excited about their missionary role - we can all learn from each other!
Peace -