*WORLD MISSION SUNDAY 

Theme for the Pope’s message: “ *You Shall Be My Witness”*  (Acts 1:8)

The Pope drew our attention in his message that this year’s world mission day offers us the opportunity to commemorate several important events in the church’s life and mission.The three key phrases that synthesizes the three foundation of the life and mission of every disciple: “You shall be my witness”, “to the ends of the earth”, and “you shall receive the power of the holy spirit”

Talking about the first “ *You shall be my witness” – The call of every Christian to bear witness to Christ* : Here, the Pope used the teachings of Jesus to His disciples as an instance, where Christ sent them forth into the world to be witnesses and through the grace of the Holy Spirit they will receive. But regardless, we should have it in mind that Christ was the first to be sent as a ‘Missionary’ of the father (John 20:21) and as such, he is the father’s “faithful witness”. In this similar way, every Christian is called to be a missionary and witness to Christ. And the church which is the community of Christ has no other mission than bringing the Gospel to the entire world by bearing witness to Christ. He made us to understand that each baptized person is called to mission in the church and by the mandate of the church, meaning that mission is carried out together and not individually, it is done in communion with the ecclesial community and not on one’s initiative. Even if an individual in some cases carries out the evangelizing mission, he must always do so in communion with the church which commissioned him. The Pope made us to understand that the essence of the mission is to bear witness to Christ, that is, to his life, passion and death and resurrection for the love of the father and of humanity.

The next phrase reads, “ *To the ends of the earth” – the perennial relevance of a mission of universal evangelization* : Here, every disciple is sent to proselytize. The acts of the apostles speak of this missionary expansion and provide a striking image of the church going forth in fidelity to her call to bear witness to Christ the lord and guided by divine providence in the concrete conditions of her life. The words “to the ends of the earth” should challenge the disciples of Jesus in every age and impel them to press beyond familiar places in bearing witness to him so that Christ’s church will continue go forth towards new geographical, social and existential horizons, towards borderline, places and human situation. We all need to bear witness to Christ and His love to men and women of every people, culture and social status.

Finally, the third phrase *“you will receive power” from the Holy Spirit – let us always be strengthened and guided by the Spirit* . Here, His Holiness reminded us on the importance of the Holy Spirit, when Christ commissioned his disciples to be his witnesses, he also sent them the power of the Holy Spirit which is the grace needed to carry out this great responsibility. Just as no one can say ‘Jesus is lord’ except by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 12:3) therefore, no Christian is able to bear full genuine witness to Christ the lord without the Spirit’s inspiration and assistance. All Christ’s missionary disciples are to recognize the essential importance of the Holy Spirit’s work, to dwell in his presence daily and to receive his unfailing strength and guidance. Sometimes we feel tired, unmotivated or confused, this when we should remember to have recourse to the Holy Spirit in prayer. His Holiness also reminded us on the importance of prayers which plays a fundamental role in the missionary life Because it allows us to be refreshed and strengthened by the Holy Spirit as the inexhaustible divine source of renewed energy and joy in sharing Christ’s life with others.

In conclusion, the Spirit is the true protagonist of Mission. It is He who gives us the right word at the right time and in the right way. The Spirit who guides the universal church also inspires ordinary men and women for extraordinary missions.

Mary, Queen of the missions, pray for us!