Catholic Commission for Social Justice
“I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me, with me in him, bears fruit in plenty.” (Jn 15:5)
There is an inextricable link between the teachings in today’s Gospel (John 15:1–8) and Pope Francis’ latest Apostolic Exhortation, Gaudete et Exsultate (Rejoice and Be Glad) which calls us to holiness—“the most attractive face of the Church”.
Below is the Vatican-provided text of Pope Francis’ message for the 89th World Mission Sunday to be celebrated October 18, 2015:
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
The 2015 World Mission Sunday 2015 takes place in the context of the Year of Consecrated Life, which provides a further stimulus for prayer and reflection. For if every baptized person is called to bear witness to the Lord Jesus by proclaiming the faith received as a gift, this is especially so for each consecrated man and woman. There is a clear connection between consecrated life and mission. The desire to follow Jesus closely, which led to the emergence of consecrated life in the Church, responds to his call to take up the cross and follow him, to imitate his dedication to the Father and his service and love, to lose our life so as to gain it. Since Christ’s entire existence had a missionary character, so too, all those who follow him closely must possess this missionary quality.