On the feast of the Presentation of the Lord, His Holiness Pope Francis called on Catholics to live out their faith and evangelise.

Moved by the spirit

Drawing on the examples of Mary and Joseph and Anna and Simeon in the Gospel (Luke 2:22-40), the Pope explained that our Christianity requires ‘dynamism and willingness to walk, allowing oneself to be guided by the Holy Spirit’. He points out that Mary and Joseph are called to move; to go to Jerusalem to bring Jesus to God. And Simeon, moved by the Spirit, also makes his way to the temple, and so is present to see the ‘salvation for all the nations’.

Pope Francis continued:

‘The world is in need of Christians who let themselves move; who don’t tire of walking on the paths of life, to bring to all Jesus’ consoling word.’

In February, we pray with Pope Francis for his particular intention>>

Filled with wonder

The other theme which Sunday’s Gospel shows us is the need to feel wonder. The ability to marvel, Pope Francis explained, brings us closer to God as we journey through our everyday lives. He said:

‘The inability to marvel… renders one indifferent and widens the distance between the path of faith and everyday life. Brothers and sisters, be in movement always, leaving yourselves open to wonder!’

Pope Francis called all of us to open our hearts to wonder and to be called to ‘the evangelising mission: to proclaim Jesus’. Just as Anna gives herself over to wonder at the presentation of Jesus,

‘She came by just at that moment and began to praise God; and she spoke of the child to all who looked forward to the deliverance of Jerusalem’,

so Pope Francis urges us to carry out the call we received at baptism:

‘Every baptised has received the vocation to proclaim, to proclaim something, to proclaim Jesus.’

He urges all of the Faithful to carry the light of salvation into the world with energy and wonder.

Please help missionaries around the world bring Christ’s light and love to the nations>>

Missionary Spirit

At Missio we meet so many inspiring Priests, Sisters and Lay people who are answering the call to bring the light of Jesus to the nations.

People like Sr Eulie, who comes from the Philippines and works with children in the slums of Cambodia. Sr Eulie loves the message of Romans 14-16 which perfectly shows the necessity of movement to bring Christ’s message to the world:

‘But how are men to call upon him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher? And how can men preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach good news!”’ (Romans 14-16)

Help us support those who bring the light of Jesus to all

Missio supports missionaries throughout the world as they reach out to people and communities with the light and love of God. We can’t do this without your help and generosity.

Please donate to our work here>>

Thank you! Together we can build a vibrant Church of wonder and movement!