We heard in the reading of St Paul’s letter to the Christians at Rome how he describes Jesus Christ as “the revelation of a mystery kept secret for ages, but now so clear that it must be broadcast to pagans everywhere….”   This was the Apostle’s one big passion in life, to make Jesus Christ known, not only to his own countrymen and brothers, but to people of all races and nations. The mystery he refers too, then, is God taking on flesh, assuming a human nature identical to our own in everything except sin.  This act of God, part of his plan of salvation, was kept secret for ages. In the writings of some prophets and authors of biblical books, divine inspiration led them close enough to the mystery, without making it explicit. Certain events in ancient times foreshadowed this happening.  Such were the appearances in human form of the messengers of God – angels for the most part.  At times, though, we are led to wonder if these were not visions of Christ. Still, no one dared, perhaps even to think, that God Himself would become man.  This, nevertheless, is exactly what happened in the miraculous, virginal conception, announced by Gabriel, an archangel, and accepted by Mary of Nazareth.  In pure faith and humble responsiveness Mary accepted that this could and should happen.  “Be it done to me according to your word” (Luke 1: 38).  “And the Word” – that is the eternal and perfect image of the Father, who is the Son – “became flesh” (John  1:14).

In just a few days we will celebrate this unique and amazing event.  We will celebrate as Christians before a still largely unbelieving, even largely unknowing world. The good news preached by Paul and the other apostles, and by men and women of faith over the course of centuries, has still not reached every corner of the world.  It has still not touched the lives and hearts of millions.  Christians – practicing or not practicing – represent a minority, albeit a large one, of the world’s population. It should be our ambition to keep spreading this knowledge of God and of his Christ – to broadcast the secret and reveal the mystery.

Now just as we attribute to the Holy Spirit, the third Divine Person, the “Incarnation” (the Son becoming man), so also we see the spreading of this knowledge as falling to Him. If we are more devoted to the Holy Spirit, if we often end up asking Him to help us know what to say and how to say it, we will succeed in drawing others to Christ and to His Church.

The Church is missionary by nature, we have been told by an important document of the Second Vatican Council. That means all of us are meant to be, in some way or another, ambassadors of the Saviour of the world.  Clergy find themselves called, like St Paul, to be “broadcasters” of the Christian message.  Laity spread Christian truth and its spirit in multiple ways.  Those who are privileged enough to be involved in education or academia, the media, the world of art, literature or entertainment can often thoughtfully and attractively weave Christian ideals and insights into their work.  Any profession or occupation that is honest in itself provides opportunities for Christian witness, through acting justly and virtuously, working well and taking an interest in those one serves and works with. The social and family life of men and women gives occasion for meaningful conversations, good advice, encouragement and care with the charity that the example and grace of Christ enable us to show.  All of this is to be “on mission” , reaching out to others that they may come to love God and embrace the salvation Jesus offers.