“Go Ye Into the Whole World...” (2019)
Fr. Martin
Fuchs´s sermon on 6th January 2019, Prague, Czechia
The Epiphany of Our Lord
***
Dear faithful,
Ludwig and Gertrud were
children of a poor widow. When their father died, Ludwig was 7 and Gertrud was
6 years old. After her husband’s death, the mother looked with even greater
care for the upbringing of her children.
She often told them about the
poor pagan children in China and in Africa who did not know Our Lord and who
had never heard of Child Jesus. The lively compassion for the Gentiles gave
rise to a firm decision in their hearts.
“I want to become a missionary
and go to the savage peoples“, Ludwig said to his sister one day. “And I‘m
going with you!“, little Gertrud replied. “You can’t!“, declared Ludwig
definitely, “a girl cannot become a missionary.“ – “Of course, she can“,
Gertrud explained, “you convert and baptize the savages and I take care of the
little children!“ – “All right“, Ludwig answered, “tomorrow, we are going to
leave!“ The decision was made!
When the mother had left the
house the following morning in order to go to the Holy Mass and to make the
necessary purchases, both children dressed quickly, took a large piece of bread
leaving as quickly as they could. They hoped to reach faraway Africa or Asia
soon.
At lunch-time, the hunger was
noticeable. They therefore consumed their bread and went on their way. That is
when they came to a creek. But how should they cross the water?
Ludwig soon knew what to do.
He collected some big stones and threw them into the creek. Full of trust in
God, they tried to cross the dangerous creek, and indeed they succeeded. On the
other bank they believed to be already in the land of the savages. – “Be
quiet!“, Ludwig whispered and pointed to a tall man near the tree, “that is
certainly a savage; we have to go to him!“
The children were approaching
quietly so as not to frighten the savage. When they were close enough, Ludwig
politely took off his cap and asked, “Mister Savage, have you ever been
baptized?” The large man replied testily: “Why does this concern you, little
fellow?“
Terrified, Gertrud plucked his
brother’s sleeve and whispered: “Let’s go, I am afraid.“ – But Ludwig did not
give up; he asked more kindly than before: “Mr. Savage, have you already been
baptized?“ – “Well“, replied the latter, “why do you think that I am a savage?“
Now Ludwig told him, how he
and his sister had gone away in the morning in order to get to Africa and
convert the savages there, and why they think there must probably be the land
of the savages because the way was very long and the sun was shining very hot.
Then the face of the strange
gentleman cleared up to a friendly smile. He took the little boy on his knees
and Ludwig had to tell him the whole story again. He described with enthusiasm
what the mother told them about the poor unbelieving pagans far away, how they
would die without baptism and without knowing Jesus, and they may be lost
forever; and how he and his sister decided to convert these people.
During this child story the
man was moved to tears!
“You are not in Africa yet.
But you do not have to go that far to meet a savage“, he replied. “Here is one
in front of you, a European who has already been baptized but who is perhaps
even worse than those you want to seek. But from now on I want to become a real
Christian. Are you satisfied?“
Of course, the children were
happy to have converted an unbeliever. The man brought the two children back to
their mother, told her the whole story, and wished her good luck because her
teaching had already produced such fruits in her children.
The mother who has already
been very worried about the children was relieved now. Yes – she was very happy
that her children brought a lost soul back to God.
Dear faithful!
This is one little missionary
story out of many others. All of them have their origins in the today’s feast.
The wise men sought and found the Saviour by a star and they returned converted
to their homeland. The first pagan mission! And they brought this joy to the
pagan people in their country.
I remember well the crib in
the kindergarten. There was a Moor with a cash box. When he got a coin, he
nodded with his mobile head. It was a collection for the pagan people in Africa
in order to give them the necessary instructions to receive baptism.
Missions are also our job:
Pagan mission and mission of the indifferent Christians. Jesus ordered us
before His Ascension: “Go ye into the
whole world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is
baptized, shall be saved: but he that believeth not shall be condemned.“ (Mark
16:16)
We
don‘t need to go to Africa to convert people. How many unbaptized people live
in our country? Buddhists, Mohammedans, unbaptized children of Catholic
parents…
May
everybody find the Saviour in the manger and may he announce this joy to his
fellow men!
The
mission begins in our family, in our house. That is why we have our house or
our flat blessed on the feast of Epiphany. Everybody who enters our house
should find Jesus, Mary and saint Joseph. Everybody should find holy pictures,
blessed water and Christian books there! Everybody should find a prayer-life
there! Morning prayer, evening prayer and prayers before and after the meal.
May we help our fellow men, particularly in their spiritual needs! Amen.
