This collage features the front covers of Worldwide issues over its 35 years of existence. At the centre is the cover of the first edition, dated October/November 1990. Worldwide saw the light during a missionary month and continues its mission of proclaiming the Gospel; this is the reason for its being.
Credit: Worldwide archives.
VOCATION PAGE • VOCATION GOES TO CINEMA
THE TERMINAL – A COVENANT STORY
BY FR EDGARDO VIZCARRA MCCJ
-But why are you here?
-I am fulfilling a promise to my father. You see, this container has pieces of paper with the signatures of 57 Jazz players, but there is one that has not been signed, and the player is here. I promised my father that I would go to New York, that is why I am here, to search for him and ask for his signature in honour of my father. When it is done, I will go back to my country. (From the movie ‘The Terminal’, 2004).
Covenant is a central theme that pervades throughout the scriptures, beginning with Abraham down to Jesus, the fulfillment of all God’s covenant. In the Old Testament, it is written that God made a pact with Abraham, and how this was extended to all his descendants down to David. This is Jesus’ royal lineage is traced from. Jesus himself made a covenant with the apostles on the night of the paschal meal when he instituted the Eucharist and the Holy Order. Later, as he ascended to heaven, he assured the disciples of his presence until the end of time and sent the Holy Spirit as proof of this promise.
In our world today, those who respond to God’s call also make a covenant with him by living a life committed to him daily.
A covenant is considered fulfilled when and only when such a promise comes to fruition; its effects last for generations. In Jesus, God’s covenant to mankind continues its saving effects every time and wherever in the world the sacraments are celebrated.
A covenant is always accompanied by promises, rites, and rituals as well as tangible physical symbols. The old covenant was sealed by the blood of a slaughtered lamb, while the new covenant was sealed by the blood of Jesus, the Lamb of God.
In the gospels, the first disciples, upon hearing the call of Jesus to follow him, left their families and their personal ventures as signs and symbols of their promise. Though they never fully understood Jesus while they were still with him, all of them proved their love by following the Lord until their last breath.
In our world today, those who respond to God’s call also make a covenant with him by living a life committed to him daily, to the best of their abilities and despite their weaknesses, in their various ministries and missions all over the world.
– ‘Where do you want to go? ‘ The taxi driver asked.
-Staring intently at the tin can with eyes welling up, Viktor said, ‘I am going home.’
ITINERANCY AND MISSION
A picture of the Holy Family on their flight to Egypt hangs on the sanctuary wall of the chapel of the Comboni Missionaries in Paranaque, Philippines. The blessed Mother appears on the donkey carrying the baby Jesus while St Joseph walks beside them.