Candlemas

"If unity is the condition for mission, love is its substance,"writes our Pope Leo XIV, explaining that the Good News to be proclaimed is not an abstract ideal, but"the Gospel of God's faithful love, incarnate in the face and life of Jesus Christ." This is a call that extends, in the Holy Spirit, the very mission of Christ, born of love, lived in love, and leading to love. It is no coincidence that Jesus concludes the prayer preceding the Passion with these words:"May the love with which you have loved me be in them, and I in them."

“Likewise, throughout the centuries, countless Christians—martyrs, confessors, missionaries—have given their lives to make this divine love known to the world. Thus, the Church's mission of evangelization continues under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of love, until the end of time.”

The Pope expresses his gratitude to today's missionaries"ad gentes"; those men and women who, following the example of St. Francis Xavier, have left their homeland, their families, and all security behind to proclaim the Gospel, bringing Christ and his love"to places that are often difficult, poor, marked by conflict, or culturally distant." Despite adversity and human limitations, they continue to give of themselves with joy, demonstrating through their perseverance that"God's love is stronger than any barrier."

This is indeed the vocation of Tiberias: to support these women and men missionaries. "A light that reveals itself to the nations and gives glory to your people Israel." (Simeon)