China
From Hong Kong, missionary father Simon Wong speaks to us about being missionaries.
(by father Simon Wong)
Being missionaries means living a specific vocation, both as consecrated individuals and as laity, responding to God’s call to proclaim the Gospel to others. It requires full availability, a radical gift of self, and an active presence alongside people in need. The missionary vocation is a gift from the Lord, who chooses certain people to be witnesses to the Kingdom of heaven.
Every congregation or apostolic community has its own charism, that is, a specific mission to which it is called. At the heart of the missionary vocation, however, lies the Incarnation, the reality of Jesus Christ becoming man. Being missionaries means adopting a concrete approach that is close to people’s lives. For this reason, the missionary vocation is called to bear witness to the unconditional love of the Father, given to us through the Son.
Beyond borders and in fraternal communion
Missionaries imitate the life of Jesus, characterized by the total gift of self and by humility, following his example and what he did for others. A fundamental characteristic of the missionary is the willingness to leave everything behind, explicitly orienting themselves «outward», to bring the Good News to those who have not yet heard it. In the traditional sense of the term, missionaries are called to go beyond their geographical and cultural borders. Following in the footsteps of their founders, members of congregations commit to leaving their own country to serve where the Gospel is less known or lived.
Missionaries do not act as isolated individuals. Just as Jesus sent out his disciples two by two, they live in multicultural communities, making fraternal diversity a fundamental witness to the Gospel. They actively integrate into the local communities they serve: they learn the language, adopt local customs, and share people’s daily struggles, hopes, and sufferings. They experience firsthand the challenges that local communities face.
The way of the cross and the model of Mary
Missionary life is intrinsically linked to sacrifice, because Jesus sacrificed himself for the people he loved. Being missionaries means taking into account and freely embracing poverty, hardships, and setbacks, remaining steadfast in the knowledge that the cross ultimately holds the seed of resurrection and new life.
Being missionaries also means learning openness by looking to Mary, Mother of the Church, the preeminent model of service, faith, and prayer. Her unconditional «yes» to God is a daily source of inspiration for the missionary, who is called to dedicate themselves entirely to the mission of Christ.
***Chinese missionary of the religious family of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Hong Kong
Photo by father Simon Wong
