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November 2002

That they might have life abundantly
Jn 10:10

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Every working day I leave for office just after six in the morning, when the Buddhist monks are still walking along the streets of Bangkok with their begging bowls. I admire their discipline, walking barefoot on the sidewalks, wearing the typical orange robe and stopping occasionally to receive alms.  I also often see well-dressed ladies stopping to receive blessings from them, facing the monks with their heads slightly bowed and their hands folded in the typical wai fashion. This is a very common sight in Bangkok during the early morning.

As one drives along the residential areas, one will also see “spirit houses” in almost every house filled with flowers and other offerings. But even in the busy commercial areas there are many of these spirit houses. In fact, in one major intersection in the busy Ploenchit area, there is a large spirit house frequented by many local believers and tourists offering flowers and burning joss sticks. All over Thailand, there are numerous wats or Buddhist temples, many of which operate schools for young children. Some temple grounds are so huge occupying several city blocks.

Buddhism is so deeply ingrained in the Thai culture that one is not considered an authentic Thai if he or she is not a Buddhist. Indeed the Thai society is one of those referred to in Ad Gentes Divinitus as “large and distinct groups united by enduring cultural ties, ancient religious traditions, and strong social relationships.” Cambodia is another. And India. And China. And many other Asian countries. That is why Catholics in Asia constitute a mere 3.5% of the total population, in Thailand only 0.4% and in Cambodia only 0.2%.

The Special Assembly for Asia of the Synod of Bishops held at the Vatican in 1998 recognized the special challenges of evangelization in Asia. Pope John Paul II chose as the Synod’s theme: “Jesus Christ the Savior and his Mission of Love and Service in Asia: ‘That they may have life and have it abundantly’ (Jn 10:10).” The Holy Father stated that through this theme he hoped “that the Synod might ‘illustrate and explain more fully the truth that Christ is the one Mediator between God and man and the sole Redeemer of the world, to be clearly distinguished from the founders of other great religions.’ ” He emphasized that “the Church in Asia needs to be able to proclaim with renewed vigor: Ecce natus est nobis Salvator mundi, ‘Behold the Savior of the World is born to us,’ born in Asia.”

My brothers and sisters, in just a few days, from 6 to 8 December 2002, we will hold the First CFC Southeast Asian Regional Conference   at the Baan Phu Waan Pastoral Training Center of the Archdiocese of Bangkok in Sampran, about an hour’s drive from Bangkok. The theme of the conference is taken from Isaiah 49:6: I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth. In anticipation of this conference, I have been reading the documents from the Special Assembly for Asia of the Synod of Bishops, including the Lineamenta, the Instrumentum laboris, and the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation of Pope John Paul II Ecclesia in Asia. 

As I reflect on the observations and messages of these documents, I become more convinced of the need for the laity to actively participate in the work of evangelization in Asia, which largely means working among non-Christians. If this work is done only by the Catholic clergy and religious orders, there is the danger that evangelization will be viewed as an attempt by the Catholic establishment to impose its rituals and practices on these “large and distinct groups united by enduring cultural ties, ancient religious traditions, and strong social relationships” – as some kind of “neo-colonialism,” or a second attempt to impose “colonial rule” in Asia. Indeed if Christian evangelization is viewed primarily as an attempt to replace ancient traditions and cultures rather than an offer to provide the authentic way of experiencing in one’s personal life the self-sacrificing love of Christ – the God made man, who willingly suffered and died so that all men and women may “have life and have it abundantly,” – then it would be a great tragedy.

If as stressed by Pope Paul VI in Evangelii Nuntiandi the “first means of evangelization is the witness of an authentically Christian life,” then the participation of the laity is absolutely essential. If indeed evangelization is best carried out through “the witness of sanctity” by faithful and committed Christians who are “implanted” in predominantly non-Christian societies, then the active involvement of lay organizations, such as Couples for Christ, is of greatest importance.

As Pope John Paul II assures us in Ecclesia in Asia, “No individual, no nation, no culture is impervious to the appeal of Jesus who speaks from the very heart of the human condition.” “Contemplating Jesus in his human nature,” the Pope continues, “the peoples of Asia find their deepest questions answered, their hopes fulfilled, their dignity uplifted and their despair conquered. Jesus is the Good News for the men and women of every time and place in their search for the meaning of existence and for the truth of their own humanity.”

The Pope further emphasizes, “The Church is convinced that deep within the people, cultures and religions of Asia there is a thirst for “living water,” a thirst which the Spirit himself has created and which Jesus the Savior alone can fully satisfy. The Church looks to the Holy Spirit to continue to prepare the peoples of Asia for the saving dialogue with the Savior of all. Led by the Spirit in her mission of service and love, the Church can offer an encounter between Jesus Christ and the peoples of Asia as they search for the fullness of life. In that encounter alone is to be found the living water which springs up to eternal life, namely, the knowledge of the one true God and Jesus Christ whom he has sent.”

My brothers and sisters, let us look with great anticipation to this coming regional conference. It is not by accident that the regional conference will end on the 8th of December, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. I am convinced that God led us to these dates to tell us that we should entrust our work to the Blessed Mother. For Mary, conceived without original sin, is the first to receive the special redeeming grace of Christ – by anticipation. By receiving Christ’s grace at her conception, Mary had Christ’s grace applied to her before she could become mired in original sin and its stain. Her conception therefore was immaculate, that is, without stain.

Mary was also the first person to proclaim Christ, while He was still in her womb, when she visited her cousin Elizabeth and said, “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my savior.” For this reason, she is the first bearer of the Good News. She is the spouse of the Holy Spirit, who is the agent of evangelization. Therefore, just as the Holy Father entrusted the Church of Asia to Mary – “trusting absolutely that hers is an ear that always listens, hers a heart that always welcomes, and hers a prayer that never fails” – let us also entrust the regional conference and the future work of Couples for Christ that will be revealed at the conference to Mary, the model of all disciples and bright Star of Evangelization.

My brothers and sisters, in my earlier letter, I have asked you to come to the conference with the attitude of a pilgrim – one who comes to a sacred place from a religious motivation. Let us gather in Baan Phu Waan during this coming weekend with an expectant faith that the Father in heaven will manifest His power, a fervent hope that there will be an outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and a burning love for Christ who gives life abundantly to all men and women, whether they know Him or not.