Vatican City (AsiaNews) – An "expert" on Jesus before being an "envoy". This is the characteristic of the apostles, "not announcers of a message, but witnesses of a person" and of evangelization, which "is none other than the proclamation of that which has been experienced, and an invitation to enter into the mystery of communion with Christ". This was the focus of the reflection of Benedict XVI in today's general audience, at the end of which he launched an appeal for people stricken by tuberculosis.

Addressing 30,000 people in St Peter's Square, the Pope, taking his queue from a passage in the Letter to the Ephesians, said the Gospels link the first "call" of the Twelve to the baptism in the Jordan. Benedict XVI recalled the "highly expressive" exchange in the conversation Jesus had with his first two future apostles. "To the question: 'what are you looking for?' they answered with another question: 'Rabbì (which means 'teacher'), where do you live?' The reply of Jesus is an invitation: 'Come and see' (cfr Jn 1:38,39). This is how the Apostles' adventure started, as a meeting of people who opened up mutually. The disciples start getting to know the Teacher first-hand. In fact, they will not have to proclaim a message, but to be witnesses to a person. Before being sent out to evangelize, they must 'stay' with Jesus (cfr Mk 3:14), building a personal relationship with him. Thus, evangelization is none other than a proclamation of what has been experienced, and an invitation to enter into the mystery of communion with Christ (cfr 1 Jn 13)."

Benedict XVI then asked: "To whom will the Apostles be sent?" The Pope recalled that "in the Gospel, Jesus seems to restrict his mission to Israel alone:

'I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel' (Mt 15:24). In a similar way, he seems to circumscribe the mission entrusted to the Twelve: 'These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: 'Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel' (Mt 10:5s.). A certain modern critic, of rationalistic inspiration, saw these expressions as the Nazarene's lack of universalistic consciousness. In reality, they should be seen in the light of his relationship with Israel, the community of the covenant". According to the Messianic prophecies, the divine promises would reach their fulfillment when God himself, through his Chosen One, gathered his people as a shepherd does his sheep.

"Thus, the Twelve, recruited to participate in the mission of Jesus, cooperate with the Shepherd, going above all to the lost sheep of the House of Israel, turning to the chosen people, whose assembly is the sign of salvation for all peoples. Far from contradicting the universalistic opening-up of the Nazarene's Messianic activity, the initial limitation of his mission – and that of the 12 – to Israel, becomes its most effective prophetic sign. After the passion and resurrection of Christ, this sign will be clarified. Christ will send the Apostles to 'the whole world' (Mk 16:15), to 'all nations' (Mt 28:19; Lk 24:47), 'to the ends of the earth' (At 1:8)".

At the end of the audience, Benedict XVI recalled that the day after tomorrow, 24 March, is the United Nations World Day marking the struggle against tuberculosis. "This is an appropriate occasion to call for renewed commitment to treat our sick brothers, who often live in great poverty. I encourage initiatives of aid and solidarity with them, and express hope that they will always be assured dignified conditions of life."