aipei,
Taiwan - Adeline Fu der ling is a catechist in Taipei. She only recently returned from a two-year course in Castel Gandolfo (Italy), the town of the Pope's summer residence. There she has met and lived with Christians of different origins, and she speaks of those two years as a very rich experience. It has touched her heart and it has given her new incentive and courage to announce the Gospel. In the following interview Adeline gives us a glimpse of the reality of the Christian Church in Taiwan.
It is important to note that for a Christian used to living in a minority situation as is that of the island of Taiwan inviting them to activities where the figure of Jesus and his Gospel is proposed in the university milieu. There, she acknowledges, mission has the force of the Holy Spirit itself!
Adeline, what do you understand by mission'?
"For me mission is to proclaim Jesus and the joy of being children of God; it is being enthusiastic in transmitting the Gospel. The message of the Gospel is the love of God for the whole of humanity. Mission is to witness with joy to this
Love."
What does it mean for you to be Christian and missionary?
"From the beginning of my interest in Christianity, I have been struck by the example that Jesus uses to explain what is prayer and its effectiveness. Jesus says in fact, 'As bad as you are, you know how to give good things to your children. How much more so, then, will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
For me to be Christian and missionary means to pray for what is good, to learn to ask insistently for what is good; to ask for good and just things and true values such as love, peace, justice, etc. And this, not just for me, but also and especially for. those most in need of them. Selfishness, on the other hand, leaves one dissatisfied and never happy. Concretely, I would say to ask our Father who is in heaven that we be more human."
What do you mean by "that we be more human"?
"To be more human means to become more Christian. All that regards human beings: to make known to all their needs and necessities. In Taiwan, thank God!, we lack nothing and have everything. The only thing, perhaps, that is missing is a simpler and less hectic life; I mean the poverty of which the Gospel speaks... "
How do you live your being Christian and missionary?
"I live my being Christian and missionary above all by remaining in intimate union with the Church of Jesus, which is, by its very essence, missionary. I take part, in practical ways, in the Church's activities, and this constantly nourishes my faith. "
Do you feel you are called to bring the Good News to others?
"Yes,
certainly!"
In Taiwan, how does the Church live its rapport with mission and with the other concrete initiatives which are being carried out?
"The good will of the faithful determines the sense and the carrying out of mission."
(From Xaverian Mission Newsletter)