EPIPHANY MESSAGE: CHRIST IS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD

VATICAN CITY, JAN 6, 1999 (VIS) - At the angelus following the Mass during which he ordained nine new bishops, Pope John Paul pointed out that the message of today's feast of the Epiphany is that "Christ is the light of the world which enlightens every man and all peoples."

He said that this message "is entrusted in the first place to bishops," as is the missionary mandate given by Christ to the Apostles. This mandate is also "for all of Christ's disciples. As the international community gets ready to cross the threshold of the third millennium, and looks with concern at the shadows which still mark its path, the Church 'ardently hopes that the light of Christ ... will illuminate all men'."

"We pray," the Holy Father added, "that missionary awareness will increase in every believer and that the number will grow of those who, in every corner of the earth, dedicate their energy to the cause of the Gospel. I am thinking especially of the lands being evangelized for the first time and of all those who are not afraid to face risks and dangers to bring the Word of God: I am also thinking of those who, in the midst of physical and moral suffering, generously offer their lives to the Lord to contribute to his mysterious plan of salvation."

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