A couple of years ago, I went on my dream trip to Italy. It was the country I had wanted to visit since my teen years and it did not disappoint. Carrying only a backpack, my husband and I took the train from one city to the next, walking countless miles, eating an endless supply of pizza and gelato, and seeing some of the most beautiful sights.
One of the cities we visited was Naples, where we reconnected with a Franciscan priest, Graciano (who, ironically, we met in Israel, which is an amazing story for another time.) As a former minister of the exquisite St. Clare’s Church in Naples, Graciano graciously offered to give us an insider’s tour of the city and the church, allowing us to witness its stunning architecture and experience the deep reverence shown by the locals to the clergy and its religious symbolism.
However, amid the splendor of the city and the church, my heart was broken by what I saw next. Following Graciano’s lead, we left the church to see more of the city. As we exited the church gates, I saw large groups of teens and young adults hanging out just outside the church. They were smoking and drinking and were dressed provocatively. I could see the emptiness in their souls as they attempted to fill it with lesser things. I wondered about the religious leaders of the beautiful church and if their hearts moved them to reach out to the young people who literally were partying at the gate. Did anyone see them?
As we continued our walk, the evening descended and more young people emerged, reveling in the nightlife. Amidst the commotion, I noticed a young man slumped over in the fetal position, alone in a doorway. People were walking past him without even a glance. I knew he was hurting inside and again wondered, “Does anyone see him?” I slowed my walk and began to pray for him. I longed to hug him and offer him hope found only in Christ.
In the midst of so much beauty and history, a culture full of religious rituals and symbols, was there anyone to love him? And the others? All around, there were broken image-bearers needing to hear the good news of the One whose image they bear. I was struck by God’s call in Scripture to reach the lost.
- Romans 10:14-15: “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’”
- Nahum 1:15a: “Look, there on the mountains, the feet of one who brings good news, who proclaims peace!”
- Isaiah 52:7a: “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation.”
- Ephesians 6:15: “With your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.”
I am struck with the conviction that the foundation of the mission is so easily overlooked – the sharing of the Good News. Am I more focused on earthly things rather than the eternal? When I see people, what do I see? Without the gift of salvation, everything else we give is meaningless.
As believers of Christ, we have the greatest gift for humanity and have been commissioned to share it. May we live out Mark 16:15, “He (Jesus) said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.'”
May we continue to live…
Rooted in Him,
