Misericordias Domini in aeternum cantabo

27th Missionary Day

In a special way, the call to mission acquires a singular urgency if we look at that portion of humanity that does not yet know or recognize Christ. Yes, dear Brothers and Sisters, the mission ad gentes is more valid today than ever. I keep imprinted on my heart the face of humanity that I was able to contemplate during my pilgrimages: it is the face of Christ reflected in that of the poor and the suffering; the face of Christ that shines in all those who live as "sheep without a shepherd" (Mc 6, 34). Every man and every woman has the full right to be taught "many things" (ibid.). 

Faced with the evidence of their own fragility and inadequacy, the human temptation, even for the apostle, is to send the people away. On the contrary, it is precisely at that moment that, contemplating the face of the Beloved, each one must listen again to the words of Jesus: "They do not need to go away; you yourselves give them something to eat" (cf. Mt 14, 16; Mc (6, 37). In this way, we experience both human weakness and the grace of the Lord. Aware of the perennial fragility that profoundly marks us, we feel the need to give thanks to God for all that He has done for us and for all that, in His grace, He will do. 

How can we fail to remember, on this occasion, all the missionaries, priests, nuns and lay people, who made the mission what it was? ad gentes and ad vitam The reason for their very existence? They, through their lives, proclaim "the wonders of the Lord without end.".

Yes, dearest Brothers and Sisters, we cannot remain silent about what we have seen and heard (cf. Act 4, 20). We have seen the work of the Spirit and the glory of God manifested in weakness (cf. 2 Color 12; 1 Color 1) Today, too, many men and women, through their dedication and sacrifice, are for us an eloquent manifestation of God's love. From them we receive faith and feel encouraged to be, in turn, proclaimers and witnesses of the Mystery. 

The Church, therefore, cannot withdraw from missionary activity among the peoples, and it remains a priority task of... missio ad gentes the announcement that it is in Christ, “the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (Jo (14, 6), that men find salvation.» It is an invitation to all, an urgent appeal to which an immediate and generous response must be given. It is necessary to go! It is necessary to set out without hesitation, like Mary, the Mother of Jesus; like the shepherds who awoke at the first announcement of the Angel; like Magdalene when she saw the Risen One.

(St. John Paul II, message of the year 2001)