“Who is my mother, and who are my brethren?” (Mt 12:48).
It was one of the key questions Jesus asked in the gospel – and Pope Francis repeated it on November 21, 2019, in his homily at Mass in Bangkok’s National Stadium. It was the Holy Father’s first public Mass during his November 21-23 apostolic journey to Thailand.
The Holy Father gave the same answer Jesus gave: “Whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother, sister, and mother”. He challenged the Catholics of Thailand to be “missionary disciples” and follow in the footsteps of the Catholic missionaries who brought the faith to their nation.
“It is surprising to see how full the Gospel is of questions that attempt to unsettle and stir the heart of the disciples, inviting them to set out to discover the truth that is capable of giving and generating life,” the Holy Father said. “Questions that challenge us to open our hearts and minds to encounter a newness much more beautiful than we could possibly imagine.
“Such was the case with the missionaries who first set foot in these lands. By hearing the Lord’s word and responding to its demands, they came to realize that they were part of a family much larger than any based-on bloodlines, cultures, regions or ethnic groups. Impelled by the power of the Spirit, their bags filled with the hope brought by the good news of the Gospel, they set out in search of family members they did not yet know.”
Pope Francis pointed out that this year is the 350th anniversary of the Apostolic Vicariate of Siam. He noted that just two missionaries planted the seeds that grew into the flourishing Catholic community in Thailand today.
Source: ZENIT
