This year’s message for the Church’s World Mission Sunday is special because Pope Francis had time to write it well before his death – his passing to Christ during Eastertide – and because we are celebrating the Jubilee Year, the Year of Hope. As his motto, the Holy Father chose: “Messengers of Hope among the Nations.” It reminds every Christian and the entire Church of Christ to be tireless signs and builders of hope in today’s world.
God has given us the gift of rebirth in the risen Christ “to a living hope” (cf. 1 Pet 1:3–4). As we celebrate the Jubilee, we should fix our gaze on Christ, the centre of history, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The Lord is the same in every age; his plan of salvation is offered to all who wish to receive him. In this sense, “today” is always here and now, until the end of time. God is not bound by temporal limits or barriers – for him, every person exists here and now.
Just as the disciples walked with Jesus, he wishes to walk with all his followers, carrying the message of hope to all humanity. He stops and bends down to those in need, anointing their wounds with the balm of consolation and the wine of hope (cf. Preface of the Good Samaritan). The Church continues this mission of sharing consolation and hope with humanity despite all its human weaknesses. Thus, God’s becoming man in the mystery of Christmas reveals the full greatness and gift of the plan of salvation: Christ among the nations, the sign of hope.
The Lord calls us to move forward like the disciples on the road to Emmaus – not to remain static, but to be a missionary Church that walks with her Lord along the roads of the world. The Emmaus journey is a beautiful image of the Church: the dialogue of the disciples – the Liturgy of the Word; Christ appearing in their midst – the consecration, the sanctification of the Eucharistic gifts; and finally, their sharing of the Eucharistic meal with Jesus – the reception of Communion. In this way, the Church journeys through the world, carrying the Gospel message to the ends of the earth as a messenger of hope.
Let us remember that prayer is the first form of mission and also the strength and steadfastness of hope.
May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of the Missions, pray for us! Amen.
Deacon Marko Pitkäniemi OFS
Diocesan Mission Coordinator