Editorial

THE HEART OF THE MISSION

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Vol. XVIII x No. 6

JULY 2006

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by Josè Rebelo

This year we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Vatican II decree on the Church′s missionary activity, Ad Gentes [Divinitus] ("Divinely sent to the nations of the world"). The document, published on December 7, 1965, spelled out more clearly the theological foundations of missionary commitment, gave it a new impetus and showed its value and timeliness in a world that faced quick changes and new challenges.

Ad Gentes teaches that the Church is missionary at its very core and that its first priority is evangelization and mission. In other words, mission is not just another task that the Church should engage in, but is the very essence of its nature: "The Church is missionary by her very nature" (N.2). The work of evangelization is a "basic duty of the People of God" (N. 35), and all the faithful should cooperate, starting from the bishops, who "are consecrated not just for some dioceses, but for the salvation of the entire world" (N. 38). Under their leadership, all the dioceses should become missionaries, even if there is a shortage of ministers to serve their needs.

God has scattered treasures among the different cultures and nations of the earth. That means: "Anyone who encounters other peoples should have a great esteem for their patrimony, their language and their customs" (N. 26) because the Church absorbs into itself the customs and wisdom of each people. With this spirit of respect, understanding and love, those who engage in missionary work should walk the path paved by Christ – a path of poverty, obedience, service and self-sacrifice.

But there is still more to that. Christians are supposed to embrace the world and be fully engaged in it, involving themselves in civic affairs and imbuing into them the values of the Gospel. They must share the lives of those they live with and serve; they should identify with and be one with all, especially the poor and afflicted; collaborate with others, including people of other faiths, as well as with public entities to improve the social and economic life of their brothers and sisters in Jesus.

These lead to individual and social justice. Christians must contribute to eliminate famine, ignorance and disease, and support those who work to achieve peace. At the same time, they must keep in mind that they are not seeking merely the material improvement of other people′s lives, but are also working to promote human dignity, love for God and neighbor, and a peaceful and loving reunion of all peoples (N. 12).

As much as 40 years ago, "the Church is aware that there still remains a gigantic missionary task for her to accomplish" (N. 10). The Gospel, a "leaven of liberty and progress in human history... a leaven of brotherhood, of unity and of peace" (N. 8), has not yet, or hardly yet, been heard by millions of human beings, especially in Asia.

Exactly as it happened 40 years ago, the mission today faces new challenges, perhaps even bigger and harder than in those times. As Pope Benedict says, "the area of the missio ad gentes ("mission to pagans") appears to have been considerably extended and cannot be defined solely on the basis of geographical or juridical considerations; indeed, the missionary activity of the People of God is not only intended for non-Christian peoples and distant lands, but above all for social and cultural contexts and hearts."

The world is chancing so quickly that millions are being left behind. More than ever the Church needs to bear witness to the Gospel – bringing hope to the poor, the suffering, the lost and abandoned, the desperate and those yearning for freedom, truth and peace – and to consolidate God′s Kingdom on earth –; a Kingdom of goodness, justice, solidarity and mercy. Ad Gentes didn′t lose its actuality. It still defines the body and soul and, above all, the heart of the valid call to mission – a call "to reveal and to communicate the love of God to all men and nations" (N. 10). <WM