Be unsettled Christians

In a letter addressed to the Bishop of the diocese of the Immaculada Concepción (Immaculate Conception) in Argentina, Pope Francis sent his greetings on the occasion of the dioceses' 50^th anniversary.

Letter of His Holiness, Pope Francis

For the celebration of the 50^th Anniversary

Of the Diocese of Immaculada Concepción

Argentina

His Excellency, the Most Reverend

José María Rossi

Bishop of Immaculada Concepción

Dear brother,

In these days, the Diocese of the Immaculate Conception (Inmaculada Concepción) will celebrate its 50^th anniversary. I wish, on this occasion, to be close to all of you. I cannot forget the days I spent there during the Clergy Exercises. I remember the faces of the priests and I pray for them.

Now I extend my gaze and widen my heart towards each one of the faithful and unite myself with the celebration and the joy of every one of you. In these fifty years you have walked and have made a path of disciples of Jesus and announcers of the Gospel: disciples and missionaries, so that all in the diocese may have life in abundance.

To walk, to become a disciple and to announce. Three words. To walk: You know that I am afraid of settled Christians. They end up like still water.

To become a disciple: I also am afraid of those who believe that they know it all, those who believe that what they have done is sufficient. Without knowing, they close their hearts to the Lord; they end up centered in themselves. They are the Christians that we may call Christians with themselves and for themselves. When one finds himself with Jesus, he lives the wondrous awe of that encounter and feels the need to look for Him in prayer, in the reading of the Gospels. He feels the need to adore Him, to know Him… and feels the need to announce him.

And this is the third word: to announce, meaning missionaries: to bring his name, his teachings, and the gestures of Jesus to our brothers and sisters. The Christian walks, becomes a disciple and announces. He is not settled, he comes out of himself: he comes out of himself to announce the Good News of Jesus to the brothers.

Dear brothers of the diocese of Concepción, may the great celebration of these 50 years be long-lasting in your lives, so that, like our Mother, you may come out of yourselves to adore as well as to announce. Be unsettled because the love of Jesus is worth it. I wish you all a happy 50^th anniversary and, please, I ask that you pray for me. May Jesus bless you and the Holy Virgin care for you.

Affectionately yours,

Francis