Being visited by friends makes our hearts happy. We share stories we have experienced together, situations that may be distressing us, personal and family achievements. Opening up with confidence does us a lot of good.
When someone is sick, visits have a great value of comfort and peace. And I won’t even tell you if the visit is to a prisoner, where you have to overcome a series of barriers. I also think of so many elderly people who are in nursing homes without regular contact from their family.
The missionary vocation of the Church is a call to go to meet others to share the closeness of God with his People. We usually translate it into going two by two, house to house, to bring the love of Jesus.
Pope Francis presents us with a simple scheme to develop in his Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium number 128. The first thing is to greet with kindness, introducing ourselves if they do not know us, saying which Community we belong to. Talk about family members, giving space to share “your joys, your hopes, your concerns for your loved ones and so many things that fill your heart.” It is not about handing out a brochure as propaganda. Let’s go without rush. Many people—and it can happen to us—are very alone and need to tell what is happening to them, to be listened to carefully.
After this conversation, the Word that illuminates can be presented to them, either by reading a paragraph or narrating a known passage, “but always remembering the fundamental announcement: the personal love of God who became man, gave himself for us and is alive offering his salvation and his friendship”.
It will also be important to share personal testimony. The mission involves us; It is not about saying a speech from memory, the same in every family and time of year. We seek to bring the joy and comfort of God. That is why we say with certainty that the main protagonist of the mission is the Holy Spirit. “If it seems prudent and the conditions are met, it is good that this fraternal and missionary meeting ends with a brief prayer” related to what we have discussed. You can also write down intentions to offer at the Parish or Chapel mass. Although it may seem obvious, never receive money; If people want to collaborate, they should go personally to the Parish or Chapel.
This Saturday, May 4 and Sunday, May 5, we are carrying out a mission in the Department of Albardón; in Campo Afuera to be more precise. From different Parishes and Movements we came to join in the joy of sharing the faith with our neighbors. It is a first experience that we do in San Juan and in several dioceses in the country.
When I go to the Communities to celebrate Patron Saint Festivities or Confirmations, people usually tell me “come back soon.” The Gospel that we proclaim this Sunday motivates us to persevere on this path. On the one hand, Jesus shows us how he considers us: “You are my friends.” (Jn 15, 14) And that is why he gives us the measure of his love: “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (Jn 15, 13).
It is important that we accept with all the consequences the statement of Jesus: “It is not you who chose me, but I who chose you, and appointed you to go and bear fruit, and that fruit will last.” (Jn 15, 16)
Jesus chooses us and calls us: “remain in my love”; and he sends us “go and bear fruit.” The mission is not a burden to fulfill or a bureaucratic requirement. It is not the soup that we have to drink to be able to eat what we like. Jesus expresses it clearly: “I have told you this so that my joy may be yours, and that joy may be perfect” (Jn 15:11).
Let us respond generously to the call of the Lord of Life.
