23/11/2020
As the fifth centenary of “Philippine Christianity” unfolds,
the local Church looks back with gratitude for the gift of the
Christian faith that came to our shores in 1521. Likewise, we focus
with gladness on 2021 which the Catholic Bishops’ Conference
of the Philippines (CBCP) has designated as the “Year of missio
ad gentes: Gifted to Give.” These events invite us to respond with
generosity to the grace of the present moment, not allowing the
COVID-19 pandemic to tempt us to be more self-referential and less mission-oriented. By God’s grace, we pray that this unprecedented international crisis in our lifetime will be a real wake-up call towards reaching out more to one another and to others as one family in our common home. Then, we will truly be, as many have greeted their friends, “more safe” and “more sane.”
It is a fact that we need not only “stay home” and “stay safe” as we face the COVID-19 pandemic, we also need to “stay sane”; this means not being overwhelmed by fear and despair. As Pope Francis reminds us, “Challenges exist to be overcome! Let us be
realists, but without losing our joy, our boldness and our hope-filled commitment. Let us not allow ourselves to be robbed of missionary vigor” (Evangelii Gaudium 109). Our Christian faith provides the needed anchor to “stay sane,” walking in deep faith with our crucified-risen Lord.
-Foreword : Go, Teach, Make Disciples
