Having returned to the Vatican after the opening of the Holy Door and the celebration of the Mass in the Papal Basilica of Saint John in Lateran, at noon today, the Holy Father, Pope Francis appeared at the window of his study in the Apostolic Palace to recite the Angelus with the faithful and with pilgrims gathered in Saint Peter's Square for the usual Sunday appointment.
Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!
In today's gospel, there is a question that is repeated three times: What must we do? (Lk 3:10, 12, 14). Three categories of people ask this question of John the Baptist: first, the crowd in general; second, the publicans or tax collectors; and third, some soldiers. Each of these groups interrogated the prophet about what should be done in order to implement the conversion he was preaching. John's response to the question asked by the crowd is the sharing of essential goods. That is to say that to the first group, the crowd, he said that they must share basic necessities; he told them: Whoever has two cloaks must share with those who have none, and whoever has food must do the same (Lk 3:11). Then, to the second group, to the tax collectors, he said that they must not require anything more than the prescribed amounts (cf Lk 3:13). What does this mean? The Baptist is clear: do not bribe. And of the third group, the soldiers, he asked them not to exhort anything from anyone but to be content with their salary (cf Lk 3:14). These are the three responses to three questions asked by these groups. Three responses for the same journey of conversion, which is demonstrated in concrete commitments to justice and solidarity. This is the road that Jesus points out in all his preaching: the road of active love for our neighbour.
Based on John the Baptist's warnings, we understand the general trends that were followed by those who held power at the time, in various forms. Things haven't changed very much. However, no category of people is excluded from the path of conversion that leads toward salvation, not even publicans who are considered sinners by definition, not even they are excluded from salvation. God does not preclude anyone from the possibility of being saved. He is - so to speak - anxious to show mercy, to use it for our sake, and to welcome everyone into the loving embrace of reconciliation and forgiveness.
This question - what should we do? - we feel is also our question. Today's liturgy tells us, in John's words, that we need to repent, we must change directions and choose the path of justice, solidarity and sobriety; these are the essential values of a life that is fully human and genuinely Christian. Repent! This is the heart of the Baptist's message, and the liturgy of this third Sunday of Advent helps us to rediscover a particular dimension of conversion: joy. Those who convert and draw close to the Lord feel joy. The prophet Zephaniah says today: Rejoice, daughter of Zion! - advice offered to Jerusalem (Zeph 3:14); and the apostle Paul exhorts the Christians in Philippi: Rejoice always in the Lord (Phil 4:4). Today, it takes courage to speak about joy; above all, we need faith! The world is beset by many problems; the future is weighed down by uncertainties and fears. Yet, the Christian is a joyful person, and his joy is not something that is superficial and ephemeral, but something that is profound and stable, because it is one of the Lord's gifts that fills us with life. Our joy is derived from the certainty that the Lord is close (Phil 4:5): he is close to us with his tenderness, with his mercy, with his forgiveness and with his love.
May the Virgin Mary help us to strengthen our faith, so that we can learn how to welcome the God of joy, the God of mercy, who always desires to live among his children. May our Mother teach us to share tears with those who are crying, in order to also share in their smiles.
Following the recitation of the Angelus, the Holy Father continued:
The Conference on climate change has just concluded in Paris with the adoption of an agreement which is recognized by many as historic. Its implementation will require concerted commitment and generous dedication on the part of everyone. Hoping that it will also include particular attention paid to those who are most vulnerable, I exhort the international community to continue along the path that lies ahead as a sign of our solidarity that is becoming more and more active.
Next Tuesday, December 15 in Nairobi, the Ministerial Conference of the International Organization of World Trade will begin. I turn toward all the countries who will be participating, in order that the decisions that will be made may take account of the needs of the poor and of those who are most vulnerable, as well as the legitimate aspirations of less developed countries and the common good of the entire human family.
In all the Cathedrals of the world, Holy Doors are being opened, so that the Jubilee of Mercy can be lived fully in all the particular Churches. I hope that this moment might strongly motivate many to become instruments of the tenderness of God. As an expression of the works of mercy, Doors of Mercy are also being opened in places of discomfort and marginalization. To this end, I wish to greet those who are detained in prisons all over the world, especially those who are in prisons in Padua, who are spiritually united with us right now in this moment of prayer, and to thank them for the gift of their concert.
I greet all of you, pilgrims who have come from Rome, from Italy and from every corner of the world. In particular, I greet those who have come from Varsavia and from Madrid. A special thought goes out to the Santa Marta Dispensary Foundation in the Vatican; to parents with their children; to volunteers and to the Sisters Daughters of Charity; thank you for your witness of solidarity and welcome! I also greet the members of the Focolare Movement, together with friends from some Islamic communities. Keep up the good work! Keep going with courage in your journey of dialogue and friendship, for we are all children of God!
I wish you all a cordial greeting for a good Sunday and a good lunch. Don't forget, please, to pray for me. Good bye!
Greetings of the Holy Father, Pope Francis
prior to the recitation of the Angelus
Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!
In today's gospel, there is a question that is repeated three times: What must we do? (Lk 3:10, 12, 14). Three categories of people ask this question of John the Baptist: first, the crowd in general; second, the publicans or tax collectors; and third, some soldiers. Each of these groups interrogated the prophet about what should be done in order to implement the conversion he was preaching. John's response to the question asked by the crowd is the sharing of essential goods. That is to say that to the first group, the crowd, he said that they must share basic necessities; he told them: Whoever has two cloaks must share with those who have none, and whoever has food must do the same (Lk 3:11). Then, to the second group, to the tax collectors, he said that they must not require anything more than the prescribed amounts (cf Lk 3:13). What does this mean? The Baptist is clear: do not bribe. And of the third group, the soldiers, he asked them not to exhort anything from anyone but to be content with their salary (cf Lk 3:14). These are the three responses to three questions asked by these groups. Three responses for the same journey of conversion, which is demonstrated in concrete commitments to justice and solidarity. This is the road that Jesus points out in all his preaching: the road of active love for our neighbour.
Based on John the Baptist's warnings, we understand the general trends that were followed by those who held power at the time, in various forms. Things haven't changed very much. However, no category of people is excluded from the path of conversion that leads toward salvation, not even publicans who are considered sinners by definition, not even they are excluded from salvation. God does not preclude anyone from the possibility of being saved. He is - so to speak - anxious to show mercy, to use it for our sake, and to welcome everyone into the loving embrace of reconciliation and forgiveness.
This question - what should we do? - we feel is also our question. Today's liturgy tells us, in John's words, that we need to repent, we must change directions and choose the path of justice, solidarity and sobriety; these are the essential values of a life that is fully human and genuinely Christian. Repent! This is the heart of the Baptist's message, and the liturgy of this third Sunday of Advent helps us to rediscover a particular dimension of conversion: joy. Those who convert and draw close to the Lord feel joy. The prophet Zephaniah says today: Rejoice, daughter of Zion! - advice offered to Jerusalem (Zeph 3:14); and the apostle Paul exhorts the Christians in Philippi: Rejoice always in the Lord (Phil 4:4). Today, it takes courage to speak about joy; above all, we need faith! The world is beset by many problems; the future is weighed down by uncertainties and fears. Yet, the Christian is a joyful person, and his joy is not something that is superficial and ephemeral, but something that is profound and stable, because it is one of the Lord's gifts that fills us with life. Our joy is derived from the certainty that the Lord is close (Phil 4:5): he is close to us with his tenderness, with his mercy, with his forgiveness and with his love.
May the Virgin Mary help us to strengthen our faith, so that we can learn how to welcome the God of joy, the God of mercy, who always desires to live among his children. May our Mother teach us to share tears with those who are crying, in order to also share in their smiles.
Following the recitation of the Angelus, the Holy Father continued:
The Conference on climate change has just concluded in Paris with the adoption of an agreement which is recognized by many as historic. Its implementation will require concerted commitment and generous dedication on the part of everyone. Hoping that it will also include particular attention paid to those who are most vulnerable, I exhort the international community to continue along the path that lies ahead as a sign of our solidarity that is becoming more and more active.
Next Tuesday, December 15 in Nairobi, the Ministerial Conference of the International Organization of World Trade will begin. I turn toward all the countries who will be participating, in order that the decisions that will be made may take account of the needs of the poor and of those who are most vulnerable, as well as the legitimate aspirations of less developed countries and the common good of the entire human family.
In all the Cathedrals of the world, Holy Doors are being opened, so that the Jubilee of Mercy can be lived fully in all the particular Churches. I hope that this moment might strongly motivate many to become instruments of the tenderness of God. As an expression of the works of mercy, Doors of Mercy are also being opened in places of discomfort and marginalization. To this end, I wish to greet those who are detained in prisons all over the world, especially those who are in prisons in Padua, who are spiritually united with us right now in this moment of prayer, and to thank them for the gift of their concert.
I greet all of you, pilgrims who have come from Rome, from Italy and from every corner of the world. In particular, I greet those who have come from Varsavia and from Madrid. A special thought goes out to the Santa Marta Dispensary Foundation in the Vatican; to parents with their children; to volunteers and to the Sisters Daughters of Charity; thank you for your witness of solidarity and welcome! I also greet the members of the Focolare Movement, together with friends from some Islamic communities. Keep up the good work! Keep going with courage in your journey of dialogue and friendship, for we are all children of God!
I wish you all a cordial greeting for a good Sunday and a good lunch. Don't forget, please, to pray for me. Good bye!
No comments:
Post a Comment