Conversion as a presupposition for mission

Abstract

Pope Francis identifies the Church's difficulty in opening up and being active in its missionary dimension, with certain "diseases" prevalent in its actions. To address this issue, this article aims to demonstrate the need for pastoral conversion as a prerequisite for mission. To achieve this, certain elements are fundamental, such as being in a constant process of conversion; the joy and spirit of openness for an outgoing Church; generating processes in evangelizing action by focusing on the essential; and having Jesus Christ as the center of the disciple's life and missionary action. Conversion presents itself as a prerequisite for mission, and mission as an effective means for conversion. It amounts to a circular, ever-unfinished process that can be expressed as follows: the more converted the Church, the more missionary it will be; and the more missionary, the more converted. The Christian mission is guided by hope, which always offers light amidst darkness. Therefore, the Christian life must be a constant return to the roots of our faith, to Sacred Scripture, and, once again, believe in the miracle of the seed.