Fr. Paul Leung Kon-chiu, SDB was on holiday from UlaanBataar, Mongolia. To be a missionary has always been his dream. Three years ago, his Superior General granted him this wish and he was sent to Mongolia. He is still learning the Mongolian language and appreciating the Mongolian culture. It is an enriching experience for him.
Fr. Paul was generous enough to conduct a Missiology course for the Diaconate in Hong Kong. Previously, he had taught Dogmatic Theology, but not Missiology in the Holy Spirit Seminary. He admitted that it was the first time for him to "teach" this course and the schedule was so tight. Therefore, he preferred sharing his Mongolian experience to going through Missiology academically. Of course, he would lay down all the essential theological background for us so as to enable us to search the information we need on our own in the future.
Fr. Paul was generous enough to conduct a Missiology course for the Diaconate in Hong Kong. Previously, he had taught Dogmatic Theology, but not Missiology in the Holy Spirit Seminary. He admitted that it was the first time for him to "teach" this course and the schedule was so tight. Therefore, he preferred sharing his Mongolian experience to going through Missiology academically. Of course, he would lay down all the essential theological background for us so as to enable us to search the information we need on our own in the future.
In the first evening, Fr. Paul clarified for us some of the basic terms. "Evangelization" is an umbrella concept covering all sorts of missionary activities. "Re-evangelization" targets the baptized and non-practising believers. Churches in Europe are badly in need of this action as they are filled with tourists instead of Catholics. "Pastoral Ministry" aims at raising the spirituality of practising believers. This is what most parish priests are supposed to be doing today. Lastly, "Mission" refers to the proclamation of the gospel to non-believers (Missio ad Gentes). It is more challenging and heroic, the dream of all missionaries. In the book of Acts, we see both "Missio ad Gentes" and "Pastoral Ministry".
Today, we read of Peter's work after he returned from Samaria. Saul had been converted and the new wave of Jewish persecutions had not yet begun. The Church took this gap of relative peace and prospered for a while.
So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was built up; and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit it was multiplied.
Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints that lived at Lydda (Acts 9:31-32).
It seemed that Peter had handed over the business of the Jerusalem Church to other apostles. He was now consolidating the evangelical work done by Christians fleeing persecutions. Unlike St. Paul, Peter did not break new grounds. Judea, Galilee and Samaria had already heard the witnesses of the travelling Christians. As a member of the inner core of first generation Christians and the witness of the Transfiguration, Resurrection and Ascension of the Lord, Peter understood that it was an irreplaceable responsibility for him to travel around to strengthen the faith of the believers. He had to go out of his "comfort zone" in Jerusalem to wherever he was needed. The early Christians worked as team members. They worked together and shared the responsibilities. Now that he had to travel extensively, Peter had to enable the others to continue his mission. James, the brother of the Lord, was now the head of the Jerusalem Church. We will meet him later in Acts 15.
So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was built up; and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit it was multiplied.
Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints that lived at Lydda (Acts 9:31-32).
It seemed that Peter had handed over the business of the Jerusalem Church to other apostles. He was now consolidating the evangelical work done by Christians fleeing persecutions. Unlike St. Paul, Peter did not break new grounds. Judea, Galilee and Samaria had already heard the witnesses of the travelling Christians. As a member of the inner core of first generation Christians and the witness of the Transfiguration, Resurrection and Ascension of the Lord, Peter understood that it was an irreplaceable responsibility for him to travel around to strengthen the faith of the believers. He had to go out of his "comfort zone" in Jerusalem to wherever he was needed. The early Christians worked as team members. They worked together and shared the responsibilities. Now that he had to travel extensively, Peter had to enable the others to continue his mission. James, the brother of the Lord, was now the head of the Jerusalem Church. We will meet him later in Acts 15.
Luke portrayed Peter as the presence of Jesus. Today, we read of two miracles Peter worked, the healing of a paralysed man Aeneas in Lydda (Acts 9:33-34) and the resurrection of Tabitha in Joppa (Acts 9:36-41). They were the continuation of the work of Jesus, the breaking in of the Kingdom of God on earth through the Church. Here, Luke called the disciples saints. Truly, the Church is one and holy. We will read of her Catholicity very soon.
Dear Lord, may Your redemptive work continue through us to liberate our brothers. May we be Your handy instruments of grace. Amen.
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