Continental Assembly shall aim to discover the distinctive ‘Asianness’ that the Spirit enables

Cardinal Oswald Gracias presided over the Eucharist on February 23, the eve of the three-day of the Asian Continental Assembly in Baan Phu Waan, Bangkok, Thailand.

In his homily the Cardinal said the continental assembly is happening at an important time in the life of the Church- the period of Lent, dedicated to conversion, prayer, penance, fasting. It is a time when we reflect on the call to reject evil and choose God, to follow the cross, the passion of Jesus and to recognize the transfigured  Christ.

Drawing from the message of Pope Francis for Lent, the Cardinal said the transfiguration is like a synod in which we are walking with Jesus, going up to Mount Tabor, listening to Jesus and the Spirit, to discover the transfigured God, to let the Church and all peoples discover the Messiah, Jesus Christ.

The assembly, he said is a time of discernment accompanied by discussion and listening.  But the Holy spirit is the principal agent of this process, he said. The Spirit, he said, inspires each one in the Church and we discover that most of the issues emerging in the synodal process throughout the world are common. But even among these, there is an Asian perspective, a distinctive ‘Asianness’ that the Spirit enables is to discover and bring to the forefront.  Through this process, we are trying to discern how can we be disciples of Jesus in Asia, how can we reflect the Asian face of Christ.