God loves us.
The Book of Genesis teaches that men and women are created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis1:26-27). To achieve true happiness, it’s imperative that human beings embrace the path of faith, peace and charity. God is a benevolent Provider. God has provided humanity with the resources and opportunities through a single act of generosity. So, men and women have yet to prove their abilities to be good stewards. They are to collaborate with God to make this world a better place for all. The story of creation is meaningful. It introduces human beings to the knowledge of the wisdom of God. People are bound to acknowledge the supremacy of God and the demand for obedience – cause for wise service (Prov. 1:7).
I am the way and the truth and the life.
Today, we live in a world with tragic situations, including abuses of power, corruption, nepotism, human rights violations, greed, marginalization, and wars. These issues affect many people. As a result, individuals’ hearts are clouded with anger, bitterness, resentment, hatred, intolerance, and violence. Sometimes, violence is associated with issues like lack of basic needs, unemployment, lack of care, poor infrastructure, etc. In fact, all these are incompatible with the call and the vision of God, who desires humans to be instruments of goodness on earth!
The experience of tragic situations illustrates a state of broken links between humans and God and humans themselves. When people refuse to accept the vision of God, they are in danger of becoming confused and being morally corrupt – ready to breed evil in their minds and their undertakings. Where tragic situations and hurts persist, it becomes clear that humanity is in need of revitalization. However, God has offered the world the possibilities of improvement in Christ Jesus, known to be the Way, the Truth, and the Life (Jn. 14:6).
St. Joseph’s Missionary Society was founded to preach the spirit of love and service. In his Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Nuntiandi, Pope Paul VI, teaches, ‘those who have received the Good News and who are gathered by it into the community of salvation can and must communicate and spread it.’ (EN 13). The renewal that humanity needs is possible when the Gospel values are preached and practiced by those who believe in God. However, St. Joseph’s Missionary Society, with its CHARISM ‘to love and to serve’ is part of the community that is called to spread the Good News. The Good News reveals God’s love, which was made visible through Christ. Our charism is significant and makes our Society a ‘reservoir of God’s comfort and healing. This is what justifies our presence today among the traumatized, the marginalized, and those who are in most need. Like the Somali proverb says, ‘life is not long, leave your legacy.’ To love and to serve is indeed the legacy which Cardinal HERBERT VAUGHAN, our Founder, handed on for the good of humanity. As members, we are to identify ourselves with this legacy and passing it unto others in many ways. Surely, our charism makes goodness attractive and gives meaning to our missionary vocation.
Besides several spiritual activities in our programs, we members ought to continue discovering the voice of God and the power of the Holy Spirit, which lie hidden in our charism. For it is in loving and serving that we come closer to Jesus, who said, ‘I am among you as one who serves.’ (Lk 22: 27). Therefore, this charism should motivate us to confirm our presence with acts. And as St. Gregory the Great would say; ‘love is proved by deeds.‘ So our charism can help anyone overcome pessimism and self-seeking; and instil the logic of care, generosity and self-giving.
Missionaries are being sent to reach out to those in ‘cutting edge or peripheries.’ Our pioneers understood the relevance of BEING THE REASON someone feels LOVED and VALUED. Like Jesus, they initiated and multiplied good works. They did so because they were moved by the misery of the people they found in mission territories or sometimes by the supplications which came from the people. Previous missionaries realized that good actions were answers to the bogus belief about God’s non-intervention in people’s undesirable situations. Therefore, they laid a firm foundation by establishing parishes, schools, medical and training centres, nutritional programs and farms that marked the materialization of the Society’s charism. And those acts manifested the utmost values of human existence: development, solidarity, fraternity and hope. Our charism obliges us to work with people to seek transformation of social (local) environment – i.e., Evangelization through tangible acts! Today, the same charism could lead us to channel the logic of our acts, shape our character, and grow with a positive attitude and personality. Leave footprints where you are (if you can!), and help others leave theirs too!
WITNESSES and SERVANTS
Our Charism is our STRENGTH. It is the glue that binds us together for a common goal. Nevertheless, it allows each one to shape one’s own history of faith by the grace received. The application of this charism makes missionaries WITNESSES and SERVANTS of the reign of God. Let us continue to touch the hearts of one another with the TREASURE which confirms our raison-d’ être. As someone put it: ‘to handle yourself use your head. To handle others, use your heart.‘ The Formation Program now secures the Society with new members; senior members are actively supporting the integration (insertion) of the young ones into the ministry. Then, the ministry of encouragement, synodality, and companionship of empowerment make sense here! We thank God for St. Joseph’s Missionary Society by Cardinal Herbert Vaughan, the benefactors and Friends of Mill Hill who love, serve and support our Society. Finally, we bless God for calling us to become missionaries – being the reason someone feels loved and valued.
Stanislaus Bondoko, MHM
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