At noon today, the Holy Father, Pope Francis appeared at the window of his study in the Vatican Apostolic Palace to recite the Angelus with the faithful and with pilgrims who had gathered in Saint Peter's Square for the usual Sunday appointment.
Greetings of the Holy Father, Pope Francis
prior to the recitation of the Angelus
Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!
Today's gospel (Mk 7:31-37) recounts the story of Jesus healing a deaf mute, a miraculous event that demonstrates how Jesus will re-establish full communication between God and other men. The miracle takes place in the region of the Decapolis, that is to say in the territory of the pagans: however the deaf mute who is brought to Jesus becomes a symbol of non-believers who are on a journey of faith. In fact, his deafness expresses his inability to hear and comprehend not only words spoken by men but also the Word of God. Saint Paul reminds us that faith begins with preaching (Romans 10:17).
The first thing that Jesus does is to take the man away from the crowd: he doesn't want to publicize the he is about to impart, but neither does he want his word to be covered up by the noise of the voices and the chatter in the area. The Word of God that Christ transmits needs silence in order to be welcomed as a Word that heals, reconciles and re-establishes communication.
Two of Jesus' gestures are then pointed out. He touches the ears and the tongue of the deaf mute. In order to restore the relationship with this man who has been blocked from all communication, he seeks first to re-establish contact. The miracle is a gift from on high, which Jesus begs from the Father; this is the reason why he raises his eyes to heaven and commands: Be opened! And the ears of the deaf man are opened, the string holding his tongue is melted and he begins to speak freely (cf Mk 7:35).
The lesson that we learn from this story is that God is not closed in on himself, but opens himself and connects with humanity. In his immense mercy, he crosses the infinite abyss that exists between himself and us, and comes to meet us. To achieve this communication with mankind, God became man: it was not enough for him to speak with us through the laws and the prophets, but he made himself present to us in the person of his Son, the Word made flesh. Jesus is the great builder of bridges who in himself constructs the great bridge of full communication between us and the Father.
This gospel also speaks to us: at times, we are folded up and closed in upon ourselves, creating many inaccessible and inhospitable islands. Even the most basic human relationships can at times create situations where we are incapable of mutual openness: couples, families, groups, parishes, countries ... all can be closed in upon themselves, and this is not of God! This is our problem, our sin.
Yet, at the beginning of our Christian life, at Baptism, it is this very gesture, this very word from Jesus: Ephphatha - Be opened! that we hear. The miracle is accomplished: we are healed of deafness due to egoism and the muteness that closes us off due to sin, and we become part of the great family of the Church: we can hear God who speaks with us and communicates his Word to all those who have never heard it before, or to those who have forgotten it and buried it beneath the thorny troubles and deceptions of the world.
Let us ask the Holy Virgin, a woman of listening and joyful witness to support us in our commitment to profess our faith and to communicate the marvels of the Lord to those we meet on our way.
Following the recitation of the Angelus, the Holy Father continued:
Dear brothers and sisters,
The Mercy of God is made known through our efforts, as we have seen in the life of Mother Teresa of Calcutta, whose anniversary of death was celebrated yesterday.
Faced with the tragedy of tens of thousands of refugees fleeing from death due to war or to starvation, and who are on their way toward the hope of life, the gospel calls us, challenges us to be close to the weak and the abandoned ... to give them concrete hope, not only to say: Take courage, be patient! Christian hope is combative, with the tenacity of those who are travelling toward a safe destination.
Therefore, as we approach the Year of Mercy, I call upon all parishes, religious communities, monasteries and shrines throughout Europe to make the gospel real by welcoming one family of refugees: a concrete gesture in preparation for the Holy Year of Mercy.
Every parish, every religious community, every monastery, every shrine in Europe can host one family, beginning with my own diocese of Rome.
I call upon my brother bishops throughout Europe, true pastors, that in their dioceses they may respond to my call, remembering that Mercy is the second name of Love: All those who have done this to the least of these my brothers have done it to me (Mt 25:40).
Also the two parishes within the Vatican will welcome two families of refugees in the coming days.
Now, I will say a word in Spanish concerning the situation in Venezuela and in Columbia. (In Spanish) ... During these days, the bishops of Venezuela and Columbia have met to examine together the painful situation that has developed along the border between those two countries. I see in this meeting a clear sign of hope. I invite all people, especially the beloved people of Venezuela and Columbia to pray for a spirit of solidarity and fraternity so that they may overcome the current difficulties.
(In Italian) ... Yesterday in Gerona (Spain), Fidelia Oller, Giuseppa Monrabal and Faconda Margenat, religious sisters of the Institute of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Gerona, who were killed for their faith in Christ and in the Church, were Beatified. Despite threats and intimidation, these women remained courageously at their post assisting the sick and confiding themselves to God. Their heroic testimony, to the point of spilling their blood, gives strength and hope to many others today who are being persecuted because of their Christian faith. We know that there are many of them.
Two days ago in Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of Congo, the eleventh African Games began, with thousands of participating athletes from various parts of that continent. I hope that this great festival of sport will contribute to the building up of peace, fraternity and the development of all countries throughout Africa. Let us greet the Africans who are involved in these Games.
I cordially greet you all, dear pilgrims who have come from Italy and from various other countries; especially the Harmonia Nova choir from Molvena, the Sisters Daughters of the Cross, the faithful from San Martino Buon Albergo and from Caldogno and the young people from the Diocese of Ivrea, who have come to Rome on foot, following the via Francigena.
I wish you all a good Sunday. Please don't forget to pray for me. Enjoy your lunch and good bye!
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