A CHURCH THAT GOES FORTH IS THE COMMUNITY OF MISSIONARY DISCIPLES

The title for this month’s letter was taken from Pope Francis’s first Apostolic Exhortation, “Evangelii Gaudium” (EG). From the very beginning of his ministry as the Successor of the Apostle Peter, Pope Francis’ heart expressed the importance of what he thought was the Church’s mission: A “Church that goes forth.” Why did he begin by emphasizing the importance of GOING FORTH? In this valuable document, he tells us in paragraph 46: “A Church which “goes forth” is a Church whose doors are open. Going out to others in order to reach the fringes of humanity does not mean rushing out aimlessly into the world. Often it is better simply to slow down, to put aside our eagerness in order to see and listen to others, to stop rushing from one thing to another and to remain with someone who has faltered along the way. At times we have to be like the father of the prodigal son, who always keeps his door open so that when the son returns, he can readily pass through it.” Undoubtedly, the “outgoing” Church stems from Pope Francis’s clear vision of the challenges we face today: millions of people fallen like the man in the parable of the Good Samaritan, which he recounted as follows:

A scholar stood up to test him and asked, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus replied, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” He replied: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” Then Jesus said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.” But wanting to justify himself, the man asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho. He fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. By chance, a priest was going down that road; when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise, a Levite came to the spot, saw him, and passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He poured oil and wine on the man’s wounds and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn, and looked after him. The next day, he took out two coins, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him, and whatever you spend beyond that, I will repay you when I return.’ “Which of these three do you think acted as a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” He replied, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:25–37)

Then – and also today – Jesus saw millions of fallen human beings bleeding, seen by many who do not stop, including the two religious individuals— believers in Almighty God!— who merely kept walking despite the agony of the man. Sometime after Pope Francis’ departure, this is definitely what I have been reflecting on, considering his plea and vision for the Church, so that we may see our suffering brothers and sisters and not ignore them, knowing that we can do something rather than walking by. Anyone who stops when passing by someone like that is a Samaritan—construed by the Jews as bad and of ill repute and therefore discriminated against. Jesus emphasized that this man stopped because his heart was moved by the man’s suffering. He didn’t just look at him but actually helped him and even tended to him the best he could, so that he was cared for and could recover. Moreover, he returned to check in and pay for the care provided to the man. Something is clear now: Pope Francis fervently encouraged Catholics who see themselves as part of the Church founded by Jesus Christ.

During the apostolic trip to Cuba and Mexico— Thanks be to God, I had the opportunity to be on that flight!— after polishing his shoes, I asked him: “What do you want me to tell my brothers and sisters, since I’m an evangelist, not a journalist?” He replied: “Tell them to COME OUT OF THE CAVES.” I know I’ve said this many times before, but time has made me understand more deeply what he asked of me. And as I read his apostolic exhortation “Evangelii Gaudium”, my heart has been ever more deeply moved by the suffering in our world. Families, married couples, the elderly, single parents, young people, children, and victims of abuse; those trapped in addiction; and wars everywhere. So many poor and sick people. We cannot just pray for them. We must go out and help them! A Church that goes forth has been, and continues to be, Pope Francis’s greatest desire and undoubtedly, the greatest desire of Jesus, our Savior. For before ascending to heaven, he confirmed his mission to his disciples: “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them, consecrating them to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” I will be with you always, even to the end of the age. (Mt 28:19–20)

If our non-Catholic brothers and sisters—Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, and members of other denominations—go out to speak to people passing by, and if our parishes hold Masses filled with parishioners that fail to reach out to our brothers and sisters who do not go to church—which is the majority—then why not be a Church that reaches out, one that does not remain confined to the parishes? In the Word of God, this dynamic of “going out”—which God wants to inspire in believers—appears constantly. Abraham accepted the call to set out for a new land (cf. Gen 12:1–3). Moses heard God’s call: “Go, I am sending you” (Ex 3:10) and led the people out toward the Promised Land (cf. Ex 3:17). To Jeremiah, he said: “Wherever I send you, you shall go” (Jer 1:7). Today, in this “go” from Jesus, the ever-new contexts and challenges of the Church’s evangelizing mission are present, and we are all called to this new missionary “going forth.” (EG, no. 20)

For many years now, as part of our ministry, we have gone out into the streets around St. Thomas Parish and knocked on doors to invite people to come to the church. Some have asked us to pray for them. And we have certainly done that. But we must continue to visit the sick, the elderly, and prisoners, and bring food to those on the streets. All of which is the confirmation of genuine conversion, of metanoia, and it is a way of showing our gratitude to Jesus for having rescued us so that we might have eternal life. Pope Francis said: “I dream of a “missionary option”, that is, a missionary impulse capable of transforming everything, so that the Church’s customs, ways of doing things, times and schedules, language and structures can be suitably channeled for the evangelization of today’s world rather than for her self-preservation.” (EG, no. 27)

Let us go out, let us go out to offer the life of Jesus Christ to everyone. Let me repeat here to all the Church what I have often said to the priests and laity of Buenos Aires: I prefer a Church that is battered, wounded, and stained from going out into the streets than a Church that is sick from being shut in, in the comfort of clinging to its own certainties. (paragraph 49) What the Holy Father has left us is truly profound: to be a Church that goes forth.

We must not arrive in heaven empty-handed. We can still go out and do whatever we can. I can assure you that I will increasingly strive harder to lead my followers in this mission to become the Church that goes OUT.

Thank you for supporting this apostolate and helping us bring the Word of God to all souls in need. I continue to pray to our loving Heavenly Father for your intentions. In every Hail Mary, I pray to the Blessed Virgin Mary for your families.

P.S. I would like to extend a warm invitation to you to join us at Metanoia Chicago 2026 on September 19-20. I will be there to share the Word of God. Also, let’s prepare to welcome and invite young people, single men and women, to CDJ. Don’t miss it; invite someone to join you.

Your friend and servant,