 Those were the words chosen as the theme for this year’s Pilgrimage to Maria Ratschitz, in the diocese of Dundee. There were other biblical suggestions on the table, but Jesus’ mandate to his disciples of all times and places got the first place, and quite rightly! Due to the public servants’ strike – with the result that they had to work on Saturdays for three months – the Pilgrimage took place on a Sunday. This was something new, since the pilgrimage had been taking place on a Saturday at least during the recent years. The great number of pilgrims that made their way to the 19th century Mission of Maria Ratschitz was a complete surprise to everybody.
It was greatly meaningful that at the feet of Our Lady – the perfect disciple – the pilgrims were challenged, in many ways, to embody Jesus’ mandate. The Christian communities of the Diocese, their leaders and the groups together with the sodalities had received the suggestion of embarking in a process of reflection leading to find new ways of making disciples, ways of become more active and relevant in the task of evangelization in our Diocese. The results of that process were meant to be taken along to the Pilgrimage and made visible to all pilgrims.
Except for one mission that suggestion was not followed; the process of reflection did not start and what would have been a precious occasion for a great starting point involving the whole diocesan community was lost. Why did it happen that way? If the main task of the Church is evangelization why did people not get involved? Was it that the time was too short? The leaders were busy with other issues or had other priorities? Was it the fact that it had never been done so… why do it now? Isn’t it true that it is easier just to listen and to consume than to be involved and be creative?
These questions lead me to reflect upon other aspects of our missionary relevance in these local churches where we find ourselves and, why not, in today’s world. We all know how meaningful and relevant the concept Mission is for the whole Church. The missionaries gather the greatest appreciation from all quarters, from inside and outside the Church. In such a way that, for many people and groups in the Church, everything is mission; for the missionaries, instead, it is the other way round: mission is everything. That is the way things should be – if they were to be assumed in its original value. But we are all aware that, indeed, what’s happening is the watering down of the concept Mission across the board, better said across the Church. And we are exposed to that reality as anybody else. That’s why very often we find ourselves running after our own shadow instead of leaving it where it belongs, that is behind us – let’s walk towards the sun, not away from it. Let me put it in another way: we have been very concerned with places and not that much with missionary issues and priorities – the ones we were born, as missionaries, to deal with. In our last meeting in Damesfontein we did a great exercise in reflecting upon the issues, motives and relevance of our missionary service and presence – and not just the places. I do hope and pray that we’ll be able to carry on in a journey of great enthusiasm for the Mission. Enriched with our history and tradition we’ll be missionaries filled with joy and dedication to the people were they need us most, no matter how difficult the situation might be. Yes, let’s go and make disciples – starting from ourselves!
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