By Most Rev Prakash Mallavarappu,
Archbishop of Visakhapatnam –
While individually every member in the Church should acknowledge with gratitude all that one is receiving in and through Jesus Christ, the Savior, one should also feel for the Community of believers, the Church. Jesus Christ is the head of the Church and in Jesus Christ all the members in the Church are mutually related to one another.
We belong to Christ and in Christ we belong to one another as well. Union with Christ is also a union with one another. Unfortunately, our unity in the community is affected by many dividing factors and these dividing factors seem at times to be stronger than our sense belonging to Jesus Christ and His Church. Faith not only saves but also transforms!
Only a transformation through faith in Christ can sustain the Community of believers in unity and fellowship and can contribute to the mission of the Church. Credible witness of the Apostles as leaders of the Community: The apostles who began the mission of proclaiming Christ and those that were added to the community of believers were convincing witnesses.
They had no other concern than their mission of proclaiming the message of salvation in Christ. Anointed in the Holy Spirit, they were bold to say, ‘we are witnesses to all these things’. Their conviction and courage, and the determination to continue to speak and preach about Jesus Christ were very evident in the way they faced opposition, persecution and suffering. Their mission is a “God-given Mission.” They were convinced, fearless and self-sacrificing for the sake of Jesus Christ who died and is risen.
The Community of believers were not only instructed by the Apostles but the Community also stood by them in their mission, supporting with their prayer and material assistance. The unity and fellowship in the Community were sustained with their good will and with their disposition of accepting the directions of the Holy Spirit. What do we learn as members of the Church today? The pastoral leadership entrusted to those who share in the ministerial priesthood in the Church is to lead the Community of believers following the instructions and directions of the Spirit.
A single-minded dedication and commitment to the evangelizing mission of the Church and one’s personal witness that the pastors have to be as pastors who are leading the community from the front. Leadership at different levels should be instrumental to present the Church as the Sacrament of Salvation. This cannot be done by the pastors single handedly but with the participation and contribution of the entire Community of believers. An important question is about how in the day to day life in the local church participation and contribution of different sections is promoted.