Even in the martyred region of North Kivu, the disciples of Jesus are called above all to offer to all the "wonderful flavor" and light of Jesus and his gospel. Flavor and light that "do not come from us", but from Jesus who works in us through the Holy Spirit", said Cardinal Luis Antonio Gokim Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, who during his trip to Africa also visited the Democratic Republic of the Congo, during a Mass in Goma (North Kivu), briefly outlined the mission of hope and rebirth entrusted to the baptized even in places affected by conflicts, violence and collective disasters.
During his homily at the Mass he celebrated on the Feast of St. Anthony of Padua, Tuesday, June 13, at the Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (where a multitude of people watched the service from the screens set up around the church persecuted), Cardinal Tagle made an appeal for peace and reconciliation to the entire Church of Goma and conveyed the greetings of Pope Francis. The Pope – Cardinal Tagle recalled – wanted to visit Goma on his recent apostolic journey to the Democratic Republic of Congo, "to show you his closeness. He suffered much for not being here. But rest assured that you are in his mind and in his heart."
In his homily, the Cardinal addressed the situation in North Kivu, referring to the readings of the daily liturgy, which "seem to be addressed to the Church in Goma". In the Gospel, Jesus calls his disciples to be "the salt of the earth and the light of the world".
"Salt and light," the cardinal stressed, "do not draw attention to themselves, they do not serve their own interests. They serve something other than themselves. Salt is used to add flavor to food, to preserve it, and to heal certain diseases. Light in the home is used to find objects, to orient oneself and to avoid accidents.
Many, and this is also the case in Goma and North Kivu - continued the Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization - perceive life as tasteless and meaningless. They themselves feel they are being treated like tasteless food to be thrown away and they live their lives in darkness." "Through our compassion, through our humble service in Jesus' name, we hope that many people will experience Christ and find new meaning and flavor in their lives".
"Even in Goma and in North Kivu - Cardinal Tagle repeated - Every baptized person, family, school, hospital or parish, organization and ecclesial movement, community of consecrated persons and priest is called to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world and to say yes to "justice based on truth", to forgiveness and reconciliation, and to "lasting peace for us, for our children and their children".