GATHER AROUND JESUS

... World Mission Day gathers us around ... Jesus, "the very first and greatest evangelizer" (Paul VI ...) who continually sends us forth to proclaim the Gospel of the love of God the Father in the power of the Holy Spirit. This Day invites us to reflect anew on the mission at the heart of the Christian faith.

IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

... It is important to ask ourselves certain questions about our Christian identity and our responsibility as believers in a world marked by confusion, disappointment and frustration, and torn by numerous fratricidal wars that unjustly target the innocent. What is the basis of our mission? What is the heart of our mission? What are the essential approaches we need to take in carrying out our mission?

TRANSFORMING POWER

The Church's mission, directed to all men and women of good will, is based on the transformative power of the Gospel.

NEW LIFE

The Gospel is Good News filled with contagious joy for it contains and offers new life: the life of the Risen Christ who by bestowing His life-giving Spirit, becomes for us the Way, the Truth and the Life (cf. Jn 14:6)

JESUS CONTINUES TO ACT

Through the mission of the Church, Jesus Christ Himself continues to evangelize and act... Through the proclamation of the Gospel, the risen Jesus becomes our contemporary, so that those who welcome Him with faith and love can experience the transforming power of His Spirit...

A CRITICAL NEED

The world vitally needs the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Through the Church, Christ continues His mission as the Good Samaritan, caring for the bleeding wounds of humanity, and as Good Shepherd, constantly seeking out those who wander along winding paths leading to nowhere.

YOUTH AND MISSION

Young people are the hope of mission. The person of Jesus Christ and the Good News He proclaimed continue to attract many young people. They seek ways to put themselves with courage and enthusiasm at the service of humanity.

BE INSPIRED BY MARY

... Let us draw inspiration from Mary, Mother of Evangelization. Moved by the Spirit, she welcomed the Word of life in the depths of her humble faith. May the Virgin Mother help us to say our own "yes", conscious of the urgent need to make the Good News of Jesus resound in our own time. May she obtain for us renewed zeal in bringing to everyone the Good News of the life that is victorious over death. May she intercede for us so that we can acquire the holy audacity needed to discover new ways to bring the gift of salvation to every man and woman.

(Source: Message for World Mission Day, issued 6/4/2017, Pentecost Sunday)