LOVE FOR US

LOVE FOR US
Preparing disciples and sending them on a mission is a sign of Jesus' universal salvific interest, who wanted to train those who should continue their mission in the world, once they became participants in this project. It was the Lord's will to use human mediation when he chose to incarnate. Each disciple is invited to be in solidarity with Christ in the mission and its consequences.

2. The disciple is chosen, prepared and sent on the initiative of Jesus Christ to carry out the same mission, with the same power, in the same condition as a servant and for the same purpose. The disciple's dignity is to be a disciple forever, totally free and available for the evangelizing mission and to live a profound intimacy with the Master. The more intimacy, the more depth.

3. The disciple must have no wealth other than Christ. Your treasure is the Lord Himself, your mission and teachings. The Word of God and communion with Him must fill the disciple's whole life and stimulate him, strengthening him in the evangelizing ministry. The more detached the human being is, the more able to be a disciple he will have. Availability requires detachment and total surrender to the mission of Christ.

4. The gesture of the sandals indicates the seriousness of the mission. The time has come for the decision. Choosing the Kingdom of God in Jesus Christ is extremely necessary for salvation. By Him the New and Eternal Covenant is given. He is the one towards whom the whole Old Testament and all humanity tend. Without Christ, salvation for creation is impossible. To deny Jesus Christ is to deny the whole saving project of God. In other words: it is to deny God Himself. Shaking off dust from sandals, in addition to the gesture of pagan non-contamination, is a testimony to the awareness of the truth of what is preached against those who cannot see the Light that shines in the world for all.

5. Today, more than ever, the world needs men and women in love with Christ and his Church, in order to make true discipleship. For this, knowledge of the Word and availability are essential. So did Amos, a country man, a shepherd of cattle, but, out of God's will, he made himself available to the Lord to carry out a new mission: to be a prophet (cf. Am 7,12-15). According to Saint Paul, the mission must be carried out in holiness, blamelessness and charity, always in the presence of the Lord (cf. Eph 1,4). As children, through the Son of God, co-heirs with Him, sanctified and guided by the Spirit of the Risen One, it remains for us to accept God's will in what He desires, so that His plan of salvation may be realized.

A strong and loving hug.

Father José Erinaldo