Leave your comfort zone and do missions, bishop tells Catholics
Bishop Socrates Mesiona of Puerto Princesa delivers the homily during Mass to mark the feast of St. Francis of Assisi in Bacungan, Palawan Oct. 4.
By Katya A. Santos
October 6, 2019
Puerto Princesa City, Palawan
A Catholic bishop has encouraged the faithful to leave their comfort zone to help evangelize and do missionary work.
As the Church observes Missionary Month, Bishop Socrates Mesiona of Puerto Princesa said that following Jesus means reaching out to others.
“While it is not bad to live with comfort, but as Christians, we are called to proclaim our faith and serve the people,” Mesiona said.
The prelate was speaking in his homily during Mass to celebrate the feast of St. Francis of Assisi in Bacungan town on Oct. 4.
Reflecting on the life of the popular saint, he called on the faithful to emulate the life of St. Francis by serving the poor and the marginalized.
On Oct. 1, Pope Francis has opened the month dedicated to missionaries at a prayer vigil in St. Peter’s Basilica.
In his homily, the pope said God “is asking you not simply to go through life, but to give life; not to complain about life, but to share in the tears of all who suffer”.
Bishop Mesiona has long been involved in the work of the Mission Society of the Philippines.
He is also the incoming chairman of the Episcopal Commission on Mission of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines.
