杏MAP导航 at Angelus: Be a labourer in the field of mission
By Francesca Merlo
Addressing the faithful gathered for his Sunday Angelus on 6 July, 杏MAP导航 Leo offered a reflection on the missionary nature of the Church, grounded in the Gospel of Luke.
The 杏MAP导航 focused his reflection on Jesus鈥� sending out of seventy-two disciples, an act which, he explained, represents the universal scope of the Gospel. 鈥淭he hope of the Gospel is meant for all peoples,鈥� he said, adding that this reflects 鈥渢he breadth of God鈥檚 heart and the abundance of His harvest.鈥�
However, 杏MAP导航 Leo continued in quoting Jesus: 鈥淭he harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few.鈥� He explained that while the world may seem overwhelmed by distractions and noise, people today still 鈥測earn for a greater truth,鈥� seek justice, and carry within themselves 鈥渁 longing for eternal life.鈥�
He described God as a sower who has generously gone out and sown in people鈥檚 hearts 鈥渁 desire for the infinite, for a fulfilled life and for salvation that sets us free.鈥� Despite this, there are few who are able 鈥渢o distinguish, with the eyes of Jesus, the good grain that is ripe for harvesting.鈥�
Be a labourer of faith
The 杏MAP导航 warned that faith should not become 鈥渕erely an external label.鈥� What the Church and the world need are not occasional participants but 鈥渓abourers who are eager to work in the mission field, loving disciples who bear witness to the Kingdom of God in all places.鈥�
He acknowledged that there may be many 鈥渋ntermittent Christians who occasionally act upon some religious feeling or participate in sporadic events,鈥� but there are far fewer who are ready 鈥渙n a daily basis, to labor in God鈥檚 harvest.鈥�
杏MAP导航 Leo stressed that this mission does not require 鈥渢oo many theoretical ideas about pastoral plans.鈥� Instead, he said, 鈥渨e need to pray to the Lord of the harvest.鈥� Giving priority to one鈥檚 relationship with the Lord and cultivating dialogue with Him, he added, allows people to become true labourers, ready to be sent 鈥渋nto the field of the world to bear witness to His Kingdom.鈥�
Concluding his reflection, 杏MAP导航 Leo invited the faithful to entrust themselves to the Blessed Virgin Mary, 鈥渨ho generously gave her 鈥榶es鈥� to participating in the work of salvation", before asking her to 鈥渋ntercede for us and accompany us on the path of following the Lord, so that we too may become joyful labourers in God鈥檚 Kingdom.鈥�
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