Summary
Highlights
The phrase 'Ite Missa Est' is commonly thought to mean 'Go, the Mass is ended,' leading to a sense of relief. However, its true meaning is 'Go, you are sent,' indicating that every Mass reminds Christians of their mission from Jesus Christ to spread the Good News to the world.
Pope Francis interprets 'Ite Missa Est' as 'Go forth.' He stresses that Christians cannot be self-referential and prefers an 'accidented church' that goes out into the world over a 'sick church' that remains confined and self-absorbed. This highlights the importance of active engagement and mission.
The video highlights the paradox that Christians often feel ashamed to speak about their faith, while not shy about mundane or even negative actions. This reluctance to publicly acknowledge their intimate relationship with Jesus is compared to a 'secret affair,' where people prefer to keep their faith private for fear of problems.
The Gospel of Mark (Chapter 8) is quoted, where Jesus states that if anyone is ashamed of Him and His message in a sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of them when He returns in glory. This underscores the importance of openly proclaiming faith.
A brave prayer is proposed: asking the Holy Spirit to perform the same miracle in individuals as He did in the apostles, transforming their fear and shame into courage to announce the Gospel. The apostles lost their lives but gained infinitely more through this transformation.