TradCatKnight: Francis: the true mission is not proselytizing?

Vatican City (AsiaNews) – “The real mission is never proselytism but attraction to Christ,” which is done “with our own testimony from the strong union with Him in prayer, adoration and concrete charity, which is service to Jesus present in the least of our brothers. “

On the day that the Church dedicates to the baptism of Jesus, the Pope’s Angelus, he stressed that “this festival makes us rediscover the gift and the beauty of being a nation of baptized, that is, sinners – we all are – saved by grace Christ actually entered, through the Holy Spirit, in Jesus’ filial relationship with the Father, welcomed into the bosom of the mother church, enabled to a fraternity that knows no borders and barriers “.

“Today – his words to the 20 thousand people present in St Peter – feast of the Baptism of Jesus, the Gospel (Mt 3,13-17) presents the scene took place at the Jordan River: amidst the penitent crowd that advances towards Giovanni the Baptist to be baptized there is also Jesus. he was the tail. John would stop him saying, “It is I who need baptism from you” (Mt 3:14). The Baptist is aware of the fact that there is great distance between him and Jesus. But Jesus came precisely to bridge the gap between man and God: if He is all on the side of God, is also all on the side of man , and it brings together what was divided. For that he asks John to baptize him, because it fulfills all righteousness (cf. v. 15), that is, you realize the plan of the Father which passes through the path of obedience and solidarity with the fragile and sinful man, the way of ‘ humility, and of the nearness of God to his children. Because God is so close to us, but so much! “.

“At the time of Jesus, baptized by John, he emerges from the waters of the River Jordan, the voice of God the Father is heard from above:” This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased “( v. 17). At the same time the Holy Spirit, as a dove, lands on Jesus, who gives publicly launch its mission of salvation; mission characterized by a style, by the humble and meek servant style, while holding the power of truth, as Isaiah prophesied: “Do not cry out or raise the tone, [...] does not break the crushed reed, nor quench a wick dimly burning; proclaims the right to the truth “(42.2 to 3). meek and humble servant. Here is the example of Jesus and in his missionary disciples of Christ: to proclaim the Gospel with gentleness and firmness, without arrogance or imposition. The real mission is never proselytism but attraction to Christ. But how? how? with our own testimony from the strong union with Him in prayer, adoration and concrete charity, which is service to Jesus present in the least of our brothers. In imitation of Jesus, good and merciful Shepherd, and animated by his grace, we are called to make our life a joyful witness that illuminates the path that brings hope and love. “ ”The Virgin Mary – he concluded – all of us Christians can always keep a keen awareness and appreciative of our baptism and to live faithfully the path opened by this sacrament of our rebirth. And more and humility, gentleness and firmness. “