The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord.
FOR MY EYES HAVE SEEN YOUR SALVATION
“For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you prepared in the sight of all the peoples: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and glory for your people Israel” (Lk 2:22-40).
The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord recalls the missionary mandate of all the baptised. Simeon and Anna spread the joy of Jesus’ presence and witnessed to their faith, preparing others to accept the Messiah in their lives. They are seen as icons of those dedicated to spreading the Gospel, arousing and nourishing the hope of salvation. They are true servants of the Gospel because they want to make known to all the light their eyes have seen..
Simeon and Anna witnessed the presentation of Jesus and expressed the longing for the Messiah’s coming, signifying the expectation of all Israel. Simeon, “guided by the Spirit”, took the Child in his arms and broke out in a hymn of blessing and praise, expressing the fulfillment of the hope that was his reason for living. Anna, too, rejoiced at the sight of the Child and spoke of him “to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem” (Lk 2: 38).
Their message carries a missionary urgency: may the good news be known to the ends of the earth because our eyes have seen your salvation! May all be One in Love for the world to believe in the sight of all the peoples (Jn 17:21-23). In these times, how urgent is this invitation and call to know the gift of love and the one who asks us to drink (Jn 4:10), to contemplate the light that comes to us from on high and to make known his message!
Proclaiming the joy of the Gospel till the end of the world. This mission is entrusted to all, especially the missionaries at the periphery (beyond borders), who are called to be a sign of hope for their local Churches, their countries, and all humanity. Missionaries are called to take up the amazing mission entrusted to them by Christ and to be sons and daughters of the Light, spreading their light to the farthest corners of the world.
The Church emphasizes the continuing urgency of the missionary mandate, calling for a consolidated effort from all members of the Church to bring the joy of the Gospel to the multitudes who live in hopelessness and fear. To bring the light of the nations to all the discarded of the world, and to those who do not yet know Jesus, the Redeemer of humanity.
Therefore, missionaries are sent to all peoples, cultures, and lands to proclaim the joy of the Gospel and make disciples of all nations.
The Church’s mission is to illumine all peoples with the light of the Gospel as they journey through history towards God. This mission is not about extending power or stressing dominion, but about leading all people to Christ, our elder brother and guide, who is the light for all humanity.
This mission is an adventure that requires a personal and daily relationship with Jesus, listening to his Word and attentive to his gestures of love, compassion and mercy. Deep prayer and a huge trust in God’s action are also required.
Do you want to be part of this incredible adventure? Let us be missionary disciples who welcome “all, all, all”.