Daily Devotion

“Celso Costantini reached China in late 1922 as the first apostolic delegate, and in 1924 convened the First Council of China in Shanghai to address the promotion of the Chinese clergy and the ordination of Chinese bishops. In October 1926 Pope Pius XI ordained six Chinese bishops, the first such ordinations since 1685. By 1933, when Costantini finished his mandate, 19 of the existing 119 ecclesiastical territories were in Chinese hands; in 1926 he had also founded the Disciples of the Lord, a Chinese religious congregation.”

Jean-Paul Wiest, Biographical Dictionary of Chinese Christianity · BDCC, "Costantini, Celso Benigno Luigi" (reprinted from Biographical Dictionary of Christian Missions)

Scripture

2 Timothy 2:2 You also entrust what you have heard me teach in the presence of many witnesses to faithful people who will be able to teach others.

Reflection

The foundation of faith lies not in external assistance or grand gestures, but in the authentic transmission of life and its deep-rooted connection to one's homeland. Today's church and individual lives, if reliant solely on the indoctrination of others or past experiences, will find it difficult to withstand storms. Only by deeply rooting the truth in our own land and culture, and willingly relinquishing dominance to serve and nurture the next generation of faithful teachers, can the flame of the gospel burn eternally. Are we also willing to take up this baton and become faithful vessels for transmitting the truth?