He came to his own people but they did not accept him (Jn 1:11)

Posted: 13th December 2006

Celebrated the Asian Mission Congress

We just celebrated the Asian Mission Congress, which took place in Chiang Mai last October, with the influx of more than a thousand delegates from 28 Catholic communities in Asia. It was an occasion to reflect on how to tell the story of Jesus in Asia. Yes, really in Asia where the richness of many traditions, cultures and populations meet; in a Asia where the Saviour, Son of David, from the stock of Jesse, was born, in accomplishment of the messianic promises: Behold the virgin is with child and will give birth to a son whom she will call Emmanuel, which means God with us (cf. Is 7:14).

With the birth of the Saviour, the history of mankind was illuminated with a Light that is Life for all who accept it but condemnation for those who reject it. With some sense of disillusionment and grief, we read from the Prologue of John the disheartening phrase: He came to his own people but they did not accept him.

It is now up to us, who have received the Light, to transmit it to those who live around us. Woe unto me if I do not proclaim the Christ! (cf. 1 Cor 9:16). This is a Pauline warning that is addressed to each and every one of us. It is our duty – each person in according with his role – to continue this mission of announcing Christ with joy, faithfulness and sacrifice in the small daily gestures, which demonstrate our being “Christians” to others. This is done in living faith, which manifests love, respect and tolerance because “God is Love” (cf. Jn 13:35). It is Love, which took flesh and became visible in His Son Jesus, the Saviour, an event that we re-live in a special way at Christmas. God is not far from us, unknown, enigmatic, or perhaps dangerous. He is close to us, so close that he became a child and we can familiarly relate with him as our brother (cf. Benedict XVI, Homily 4th Sunday of Advent, 18 December 2005).

Dear friends, I heartily send you also this year my sincere greetings for Christmas, while I pray that the Infant Jesus gives you abundant blessings, serenity and perfect happiness.

Article Source: Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio stolic Nuncio