By Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network—Mumbai (RD/CN)
 
Mumbai, Oct 16: “The light of Christ should enable Christians to confront the darkness that envelops society and people”, said Archbishop Pedro Lopez Quintana, Apostolic Nuncio to India.
 
He was speaking during the homily at the ‘Prabhu Yesu Mahotsav’ held at Goregaon Seminary here on Thursday October 15. The Nuncio extended the blessings of Pope Benedict XVI to the 1,500 participants.
 
Archbishop Quintana presided over the Eucharist with Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil, Major Archbishop of Syro-Malabar Church and president of CBCI, Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Archbishop of Mumbai, chairman of the Mission Congress, Cardinal Telesphore Toppo, Archbishop of Ranchi, and Gee Varghese Mar Divannasios, Bishop of Bathery concelebrating.

The delegates of the Mission Congress devotedly participated in the Eucharistic celebration. 
 
In his homily, Archbishop Quintana elaborated the meaning of the Mission Congress theme, ‘Your Light Shine’. 

“Amid growing darkness of hunger and pain, poverty and violence, drug abuse, and sexual malpractices, Christians have a particular duty and responsibility to bring the light of Christ and dispel darkness”, he urged.
 
Archbishop Quintana reminded the delegates of the Mahotsav, who have come from 160 dioceses in India, that their baptism obligated them to become sources of light and powerful witnesses. He reminded them that in the early Church, baptism was also called ‘illumination’, which means receiving the gift of light.

“It is essential to behave like true Christians if we are to become agents of spreading Jesus’ light in this country”, said scripture scholar and Fr Sebastian Kizhakkeyil of Ruhalaya Major Seminary, Ujjain.
 
Speaking on the theme ‘Jesus Christ, the Light of the World’, he spoke of the deep longing of the people of our land for truth, light, and immortality as expressed in the ancient prayers of the people of our land. He hoped that the participants of the Mission Congress experience a deep sense of Christian fraternity and communion and that this event would become like a second Pentecost.
 
Fr Kizhakkeyil reminded his audience of the example set by Mother Teresa who listened to the cry of the poor, drawing inspiration and strength from Christ’s own example. He cited the examples of numerous other Christian witnesses in India like Blessed Kunjachan, Saint Alphonsa, Blessed Joseph Vaz, Blessed Chavara, and Blessed Euphresia, who are models for Christians today to emulate. 
 
“Christians today must stay clear of those who indulge in corruption, malpractices, and harmful activities that endanger life, property and health. We must instead act with integrity, honesty, and a sense of concern for the poor. Heeding Christ’s call, we should be ready to abandon evil ambitions, greed, and avarice”, he said.

He stressed the need for Christian schools and hospitals to open their doors to the poor and the marginalized sections and show a preferential love and concern for them as Christ has taught.