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 gathered in Saint Peter's Square. Present today, among others, were the youth from Catholic Action in the Diocese of Rome who were concluding the month of January, which is traditionally dedicated to the theme of peace with their annual Caravan of Peace.
Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!
Today's gospel account takes us once again, as it did last Sunday, to the synagogue in Nazareth, the village in Galilee where Jesus grew up in a family and where he was known by everyone. He, who only a short time ago had begun his public life, now returned for the first time and appeared among the community, gathered on Saturday in the Synagogue. He read the passage from the prophet Isaiah that speaks about the future Messiah and at the end he declared: Today, this scripture is accomplished in your hearing (Lk 4:21). At first, his fellow citizens were amazed and filled with admiration, then they began to make funny faces, whispering among themselves: why is it that this man, who claims to be the Lord's chosen one, doesn't perform here in our presence the signs they say he has performed in Capernaum and in the surrounding villages? Jesus affirms: No prophet is accepted in his own hometown (Lk 4:24), and calls upon Elijah and Elisha, the great prophets of the past, who worked miracles for the unbelievers in order to denounce the unbelief of their people. At this point, those who were present felt offended, became indignant, threw Jesus out and wanted to throw him off a hill. But He, with the strength of his peace, passed through their midst and went on his way (Lk 4:30). His hour had not yet come.
This passage from the evangelist Luke is not simply a retelling of a quarrel between neighbours, as it sometimes happens even in our own neighbourhoods, brought about by envy and jealousy, but it brings into evidence a temptation to which religious people are always exposed - to which we are all exposed - and from which we should definitely distance ourselves. What is this temptation? It is the temptation to consider religious as a human investment and, by consequence, a matter of making bargains with God, each one of us seeking our own interests. Instead, true religion is a matter of welcoming the revelation of a God who is a Father and who cares for every one of his creatures, even the smallest and least significant in the eyes of mankind. Herein lies the prophetic ministry of Jesus: in proclaiming that no human condition can constitute grounds for exclusion - no human condition can provide a motive for exclusion! - from the Father's heart, and that in the eyes of God, the only privilege is to have no privileges at all. In the eyes of God, the only privilege is not to have any privileges, to not have godfathers, to be totally abandoned into his hands.
Today, this scripture is being accomplished in your hearing (Lk 4:21). The today that was proclaimed by Christ that day, is valid for all time; it even resounds for us in this square, reminding us of the relevance and the necessity for salvation brought about by Jesus for all humanity. God comes to meet all men and women of every time and place in the concrete situations of our lives. He comes to meet even us. It is always He who makes the first step: he comes to visit us with his mercy, to lift us from the dust of our sins; he comes to extend a hand to us in order to bring us back from the brink over which we are hanging because of our pride, and invites us to welcome the consoling truth of the gospel and to walk in the right paths. He is always the one who comes to visit us, looking for us.
Let us return to the Synagogue. I am certain that on that day, Mary his mother was also present in the Synagogue in Nazareth. Let us imagine how Jesus' words resounded in her heart, a little foretaste of the suffering on the cross as she saw Jesus there in the Synagogue: first admired and then challenged, then insulted, then threatened with death. In her heart, which was filled with faith, he kept everything. May she help us to be converted from a God of miracles to the miracle of God who is Jesus Christ.
Following the recitation of the Angelus, Pope Francis continued:
Dear brothers and sisters,
Today, we celebrate the World Day of those suffering from leprosy. This illness, even though it is declining, unfortunately still affects those who are poor and marginalized most of all. It is important to maintain solidarity with our brothers and sisters who are disabled as a result of this disease. We assure them of our prayers and pledge our support to those who assist them: good lay people, good sisters, good priests.
I extend affectionate greetings to all of you, pilgrims who have come from various parishes across Italy and from other countries, as well as associations and groups. In particular, I greet the students from Cuenca and those from Toreagüera (Spain). I greet the faithful from Taranto, Montesilvano, Macerata, Ercolano and Fasano.
And now, I greet the young boys and girls from Catholic Action in Rome! Now I understand why there is so much noise in the Square! Dear young people, once again this year, along with the Cardinal Vicar and with your Assistants, you have come in great numbers at the conclusion of your Caravan of Peace.
This year, your witness of peace, enlivened by your faith in Jesus, will be even more joyous and recognizable because it is enriched by the gesture you have just performed by entering through the Holy Door. I encourage you to be instruments of peace and mercy among your friends! Let us now listen to the message which your friends here beside me will read.
The message of the youth was read, and then the Pope continued:
And now, boys and girls, let us launch the balloons, a symbol of peace.
I wish you all a good Sunday, and enjoy your lunch. Please don't forget to pray for me. Goodbye!
Greetings of the Holy Father, Pope Francis
prior to the recitation of the Angelus
Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!
Today's gospel account takes us once again, as it did last Sunday, to the synagogue in Nazareth, the village in Galilee where Jesus grew up in a family and where he was known by everyone. He, who only a short time ago had begun his public life, now returned for the first time and appeared among the community, gathered on Saturday in the Synagogue. He read the passage from the prophet Isaiah that speaks about the future Messiah and at the end he declared: Today, this scripture is accomplished in your hearing (Lk 4:21). At first, his fellow citizens were amazed and filled with admiration, then they began to make funny faces, whispering among themselves: why is it that this man, who claims to be the Lord's chosen one, doesn't perform here in our presence the signs they say he has performed in Capernaum and in the surrounding villages? Jesus affirms: No prophet is accepted in his own hometown (Lk 4:24), and calls upon Elijah and Elisha, the great prophets of the past, who worked miracles for the unbelievers in order to denounce the unbelief of their people. At this point, those who were present felt offended, became indignant, threw Jesus out and wanted to throw him off a hill. But He, with the strength of his peace, passed through their midst and went on his way (Lk 4:30). His hour had not yet come.
This passage from the evangelist Luke is not simply a retelling of a quarrel between neighbours, as it sometimes happens even in our own neighbourhoods, brought about by envy and jealousy, but it brings into evidence a temptation to which religious people are always exposed - to which we are all exposed - and from which we should definitely distance ourselves. What is this temptation? It is the temptation to consider religious as a human investment and, by consequence, a matter of making bargains with God, each one of us seeking our own interests. Instead, true religion is a matter of welcoming the revelation of a God who is a Father and who cares for every one of his creatures, even the smallest and least significant in the eyes of mankind. Herein lies the prophetic ministry of Jesus: in proclaiming that no human condition can constitute grounds for exclusion - no human condition can provide a motive for exclusion! - from the Father's heart, and that in the eyes of God, the only privilege is to have no privileges at all. In the eyes of God, the only privilege is not to have any privileges, to not have godfathers, to be totally abandoned into his hands.
Today, this scripture is being accomplished in your hearing (Lk 4:21). The today that was proclaimed by Christ that day, is valid for all time; it even resounds for us in this square, reminding us of the relevance and the necessity for salvation brought about by Jesus for all humanity. God comes to meet all men and women of every time and place in the concrete situations of our lives. He comes to meet even us. It is always He who makes the first step: he comes to visit us with his mercy, to lift us from the dust of our sins; he comes to extend a hand to us in order to bring us back from the brink over which we are hanging because of our pride, and invites us to welcome the consoling truth of the gospel and to walk in the right paths. He is always the one who comes to visit us, looking for us.
Let us return to the Synagogue. I am certain that on that day, Mary his mother was also present in the Synagogue in Nazareth. Let us imagine how Jesus' words resounded in her heart, a little foretaste of the suffering on the cross as she saw Jesus there in the Synagogue: first admired and then challenged, then insulted, then threatened with death. In her heart, which was filled with faith, he kept everything. May she help us to be converted from a God of miracles to the miracle of God who is Jesus Christ.
Following the recitation of the Angelus, Pope Francis continued:
Dear brothers and sisters,
Today, we celebrate the World Day of those suffering from leprosy. This illness, even though it is declining, unfortunately still affects those who are poor and marginalized most of all. It is important to maintain solidarity with our brothers and sisters who are disabled as a result of this disease. We assure them of our prayers and pledge our support to those who assist them: good lay people, good sisters, good priests.
I extend affectionate greetings to all of you, pilgrims who have come from various parishes across Italy and from other countries, as well as associations and groups. In particular, I greet the students from Cuenca and those from Toreagüera (Spain). I greet the faithful from Taranto, Montesilvano, Macerata, Ercolano and Fasano.
And now, I greet the young boys and girls from Catholic Action in Rome! Now I understand why there is so much noise in the Square! Dear young people, once again this year, along with the Cardinal Vicar and with your Assistants, you have come in great numbers at the conclusion of your Caravan of Peace.
This year, your witness of peace, enlivened by your faith in Jesus, will be even more joyous and recognizable because it is enriched by the gesture you have just performed by entering through the Holy Door. I encourage you to be instruments of peace and mercy among your friends! Let us now listen to the message which your friends here beside me will read.
The message of the youth was read, and then the Pope continued:
And now, boys and girls, let us launch the balloons, a symbol of peace.
I wish you all a good Sunday, and enjoy your lunch. Please don't forget to pray for me. Goodbye!
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