Listening, Renunciation and Mission: A Path of Faith
In his speech on 5 September 2013, Pope Francis reminds us of the importance of listening, renunciation and mission in our Christian life. Commenting on the episode of the “miraculous catch” narrated by Luke, the Pope emphasises how the Lord, when he passes through our lives, always says a word to us and makes us a promise, but he also asks us to give up something and entrusts us with a mission.
Listening to the Word
The first step is to listen to the Word of God. When the Lord comes into our lives, he tells us something, he makes us feel something. This is a promise from God for us, an invitation to follow Him more closely, correcting what is wrong in our lives and leaving behind what prevents us from following Him wholeheartedly.
Renunciation
The second step is renunciation. We must be ready to leave everything behind in order to follow Him more closely. Like the apostles who left everything to follow Jesus, we too are called to leave what prevents us from following Him fully.
Embracing the Mission
Finally, there is the mission that Jesus entrusts to us. The Lord never tells us to follow Him without giving us a mission. When we go on the way of Jesus, it is to do something, to fulfil a mission that He has entrusted to us.
The Vincentian Charism and the Pope’s Speech
Pope Francis’ speech resonates deeply with the Vincentian charism. St Vincent de Paul, founder of the Congregation of the Mission, always emphasised the importance of humility, simplicity and charity. These values are in perfect harmony with the Pope’s words about attentive listening to the Word of God, personal renunciation and the acceptance of a divine mission. As Vincentian missionaries are called to serve the poor with love and humility, the Pope’s discourse reminds all Christians to listen attentively to God’s voice, to renounce what alienates us from Him, and to joyfully welcome the mission He entrusts to us.
The Vincentian Mission Today
In the present context, the Pope’s message further strengthens the Vincentian mission of evangelisation and service to the poor. The Pope’s invitation to leave what prevents us from following Christ and to welcome the divine mission echoes St. Vincent’s call for total dedication to God and the poor. The Congregation of the Mission, following the example of St Vincent and the words of Pope Francis, is called today more than ever to renew its commitment to live the Gospel with courage, serving the poor with love and dedication, and to listen attentively to the voice of God in prayer and daily life.
Conclusion
Our prayer must always have these three moments: listening to the word of Jesus, renunciation and acceptance of the mission. Let us ask the apostles to give us the grace to always make a prayerful effort to listen to the word and promise of Jesus, to have the will to leave what prevents us from following Jesus closely, and to open our hearts to receive the mission.
