Introduction
For every human person to recognize and experience the love of the Father, Jesus established the Church to continue his work of redemption on earth. The evangelization of the Church towards those who do not know Christ is still relevant in the world, as so many people do not have the opportunity to hear the Good News. I have studied theologies in school and encountered many people during different seminars and meetings, but I have the impression that Missio Ad Gentes (to all nations) is rarely given attention and has become an outdated term for many in missionary work and even a “taboo” in interfaith dialogue. I have no reason to argue that missionary work towards those who are not of the Church should be a priority in local churches, as each place has its own situation. Still, from a personal conversion and experience, I want to present that the love of Jesus is beautiful and needs to be continually proclaimed to others.
Mission Ad Gentes
Some people might not be familiar with the term “Missio Ad Gentes,” and I think it is necessary to have a brief introduction to the understanding of mission Ad Gentes. Gentes in the Old Testament are the foreign nations not worshiping the true God, Yahweh (Exodus 20:3-5); therefore, we often notice the description of “gentiles” in the scriptures simply because they are non-Jewish people and not part of the Jewish faith or culture. In the New Testament, particularly in the writings of the Apostle Paul, there is a distinction made between Jews (who were under the Mosaic Law) and Gentiles (who were not part of the Jewish covenant), as Paul describes his calling to be sent “far away to the Gentiles” (Acts 22:21). Eventually, the understanding of Gentes as non-Jewish people has been shifted to non-Christians or people who do not know Christ. From the early time of the Church, the apostles, and later missionaries focused on a new form of poverty to which they were sent: the poverty of the faith in Christ. Thus, Mission Ad Gentes means to bring the Gospel to those who do not know the Lord yet.
Proclamation and Conversion
What is your first impression when it comes to the proclamation of the Gospel to non-Christians? Please forgive me for using the word “non-Christian” for short because I have experienced that this tag can only be used in a Christian setting, lest it stir up awkward rejection and division among people. Some months ago, I felt that I was ashamed to talk about the proclamation of the Gospel to non-Christians, as if I were forcing others to believe in Jesus and receive baptism. It was the time when I heard some seemingly negative missionary works in the Philippines. I was caught up in the reflection on the close connection between modern colonization and the arrival of missionaries in many parts of the world. I believe that many people still do not appreciate the Catholic faith, even among Christians, because they feel that they suffered from the shame of colonization, thus blaming the foreign missionaries altogether. However, at a particular moment in prayer, I realized that I had automatically put evangelization and conversion together, neglecting the conscience and freedom of other people.
If people have a negative impression of evangelization, I think it is because they have forgotten the “sacred place” of the recipient. Would you blame people who distribute leaflets on the street to promote fitness or language studies? I would just find them annoying sometimes, but I would not say that they have “invaded” my freedom or I am coerced to accept their products. The Second Vatican Council replies to those concerned with safeguarding freedom of conscience: “The human person has a right to religious freedom.... All should have such immunity from coercion by individuals, groups, or by any human power, that no one should be forced to act against his conscience in religious matters…”[1] Therefore, the proclamation of the Gospel must be done because we, the disciples, are meant to accompany Jesus and “to be sent out to preach” (Mark 3:14). St. Paul stated powerfully from his personal encounter with the Risen Lord: “woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:16).
The Beauty of Knowing Jesus
The Church’s missionary activity derives its reason from the will of God, “who wishes all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, Himself a man, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself as a ransom for all” (1 Timothy 2:45). But missionary activity specifically directed "to the nations" (ad gentes) appeared to wane after the Second Vatican Council,[2] which was not an expected consequence. The teaching of the Church states, “Those who, through no fault of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ or his Church but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart, and, moved by grace, try in their actions to do his will as they know it through the dictates of their conscience—those too may achieve eternal salvation” (LG 16).
I have no doubt about the teaching of the Church that all people may be saved because of Jesus’ universal salvation. Still, my concern is about the “present experience” of salvation instead of its eschatological dimension. When Jesus talks about eternal life, it is already a reality on this earth if we “abide with” him, taking from him our source and nourishment. Jesus came so that our humanity might have a new relationship with God, with each other, and without ourselves. I have experienced and heard from others that living with Jesus has the impact of transformation on one’s life. Considering all the biblical stories, all people experienced a kind of salvation when they encountered and believed in Jesus. Jesus’ loving presence fulfills the yearning of human hearts, and our missionary work is no more than sharing this love with other children of God who haven’t recognized their heavenly Father.
Encounter with a non-believer
Many years ago in China, I once conversed on the bus with a middle-aged lady who seemingly knew nothing about Catholicism and priesthood. Since I looked like a student, she asked what I was studying, and I mentioned that I would become a Catholic priest. Being a Catholic priest seemed to be a very unknown term for her; therefore, since Buddhism was closely connected to Chinese culture, I made an analogy between monks of Buddhism and priests of the Church. Most excitingly, I said that priests would not get married but only serve the Church and the faithful. She immediately understood the image of a priest and asked further questions with curiosity, “Does your whole family believe in this religion?” “Do your parents allow you to live this kind of life?” “Who is Jesus?” As for me, it was an excellent opportunity to share about the Church; at the same time, I was also surprised by her innocence about Jesus and religion.
I did not intend to convince or convert her, but speaking of the Church and Jesus is an extraordinary start to express the virtues Christians value. She had a deep interest in our way of living, and her curiosity recalled my desire to know the meaning of life. She had her spirituality without believing in a religion. Amazingly, my relationship with the Lord and understanding of faith started to develop through another person who did not know the Lord. This experience affirmed what I believe: everyone has an unexpressed longing deep inside, which is the calling of God. My imagined fear that people might reject my faith vanished; in fact, people may possess an unexpected generosity to listen and dialogue. When we personally encounter people who do not share our faith, we might be surprised that they do desire to find the meaning of life.
Conclusion
In his lifetime, Jesus plainly stated that I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God because for this purpose I have been sent (Luke 4:43). His mission is a mission of proclamation, self-giving, and closeness to every human person to invite them to a profound change of mentality (conversion) that leads to baptism or new life, and entrance to God’s kingdom. This work of proclamation should be the participation of every Christian. Internal and external difficulties that have weakened the Church's missionary thrust toward non-Christians must become concern for anyone believing in Christ, for the missionary drive has always been a sign of vitality, just as its lessening is a sign of a crisis of faith.[3] Missio Ad Gentes will continue as long as there are people who haven’t heard of Jesus. Let us be inspired by those who encountered the Lord in their lives and “remain in his love” by sharing this love!
[1] Declaration on Religious Freedom Dignitatis Humanae, 2.
[2] Redemptoris Missio, 2.
[3] Paul VI, Message for World Mission Day, 1972, Insegnamenti X, (1972), 522: “How many internal tensions, which weaken and divide certain local churches and institutions, would disappear before the firm conviction that the salvation of local communities is procured through cooperation in work for the spread of the Gospel to the farthest bounds of the earth!”