By Fr. Joseph Thanh, SDB

Araimiri, PNG, 12, June 2017 -- During the past weeks, the Mary Help of Christians Parish Araimiri joyfully and gratefully welcomed a significant number of newly baptized in the parish. They are total of 55, young and old, received the Sacrament of Baptism in different communities of the parish. Perhaps nowadays the numbers of baptism are no longer a crucial factor in the mission of the Church as used to practice in the past but it is always a radical way of evangelization and for the mission like Araimiri.

Maybe this number of newly baptized is nothing compared to other places but it is a great blessing to this mission parish. Araimiri is the most remote and isolated mission of the PGS Vice Province. The people in this mission area are suffering a lot in different aspects of life such as very low education level, very poor economic development and very relaxing in practicing their Christian faith. In fact It is quite hard to find a person to read the readings in the Mass properly. All of these also lead to the poor attitude and behavior among the villagers.

However, the mercy of God through the Sacred Heart of Jesus always shows his love in abundance. Among so many challenges, difficulties and hopelessness; the goodness and hope of our good Lord always present. The newly baptized number shows that God is still present here and the people still go to him, search for him and need him. Thus the mission and evangelization are always needed. As the Pope Francis repeats, the Mission must always be in the heart of every Christian. Therefore, Christians are not allowed to stop praying and hoping for the mission.

Among all the virtues, hope is the most challenging one to maintain but it is the most crucial virtue especially for the missionaries. Everyday the missionaries step on the obstacles, challenges and difficulties and walk on with hope. We do not hope to see the results of our works but hope for better future, better person of the community, the one we are serving. Because our hope is not based on fortune but on love of the heart of a person, the Heart of Jesus Christ. At the end, we are not rewarded according to the results but according to our efforts and hope. For God's judgment not on our face but our hearts.

I entrust all 55 newly baptized to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the source of all love and hope. I might not be with them until the end but they are the hope that I am receiving and experiencing from the Heart of Jesus. Lord, make my heart like yours so that let everyone whom I encounter can find hope in you as the same time I myself will find hope in you too and rest in your love forever.

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