In November, Canção Nova recalls the great moment in which Monsignor Jonas Abib was meeting with a group of lay people in Queluz, in the House of Mary Retreatwhere he preached the lordship of Jesus Christ.
At one point, he made an appeal to those who were present there: who was willing to donate a year of his/life life, living in community, to evangelize; leaving your personal plans, your home, your family, to dedicate him/herself exclusively to the Mission of evangelization and live the experience of Discipleship. All there were persuaded to be disciples of Christ; and from this appeal that was born the Canção Nova [New Song] community, initially composed of 12 people. This Retreat coincided with the date of the feast of Christ the King of the universe, meaning all of us are called.
But, what is this feast?
In an era in which the world lived the postwar period of 1917, before the various consequences arising from various events that led the world and the people away from God, comes to World War II.
Pope Pius XI, living the drama of humanity, instituted this feast to lead the world to Christ, the beginning and end of all things: Jesus Christ, Lord of life and history, renews and restores all the realities of the universe: “‘ I am the alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “the one who is, who was and who is coming the Almighty “(Rev. 1.8).
For believers, Jesus Christ is the one who saves and leads to the Kingdom of heaven: “bear witness to God’s Kingdom means bringing out always the priority of God and of his will with regard to the interests of the world and of their powers. Jesus speaks of King, Kingdom, referring not to dominate but the truth “(Benedict XVI)
In the face of this truth we can ask ourselves: “Who is Jesus in my life? Who reigns within me and directs my days and projects? Who has control of my decisions? I have the mind of Christ?
Being a Christian is to contribute with our small part in building the Kingdom of God in the world, in a fraternal and simple way, without ambition, but with generosity. That’s why the Lord raised the Canção Nova. Providentially the Holy Spirit made it happen on the feast of Christ the King in 1977. More Providently, exactly in union with the solemnity of Christ the King, was celebrated that year the Day of the laity, a special vocation in the Church and also were identified the first consecrated missionaries of Canção Nova. “We assume with joy and gratitude our choice” (Mons. Jonas Abib).
Luzia Santiago
(Today Canção Nova is a worldwide Catholic Community with full Pontifical Recognition that operates mission houses, retreats, and evangelizes through the media, new and old as well as through books, dvd’s and cd’s and more. The community also publishes this blog. –ed. )