At noon local time (6:00am EDT) on the XIII Sunday in Ordinary Time, the Holy Father, Pope Francis appeared at the window of his study in the Vatican Apostolic Palace to recite the Angelus with the pilgrims and faithful who were gathered in Saint Peter's Square.
Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!
In today's gospel (cf Lk 9:51-62), Saint Luke speaks about the beginning of Jesus' final travel toward Jerusalem, which concludes in chapter 19. It is a long march not only geographically and spatially, but spiritually and theologically towards the fulfillment of the Messiah's mission. Jesus' decision is radical and total, and those who follow him are called to measure themselves against it. Today the Evangelist presents us with three characters - three cases of vocation, we could say - that highlight what is required of those who want to follow Jesus fully, totally.
The first person promises him: I will follow you wherever you go (Lk 9:57). This is generous! But Jesus replies that the Son of man, unlike foxes that have dens and birds that have nests, has nowhere to lay his head (Lk 9:58). The absolute poverty of Jesus. In fact, Jesus had left his paternal home and renounced all security in order to proclaim the Kingdom of God to the lost sheep among his people. In this way, Jesus indicated to us his disciples that our mission in the world cannot be static, but that it must be itinerant. A Christian is an itinerant. The Church, by its very nature, is on the move, it is not sedentary and tranquil in its own enclosure. It is open to the widest horizons, sent - the Church is sent! - to bring the Gospel to the streets and to reach the human and existential suburbs. This is the first characteristic.
The second person that Jesus meets receives the call directly from him, but he replies: Lord, let me go first to bury my father (Lk 9:59). This is a legitimate request, founded on the commandment to honour your father and mother (cf Ex 20,12). However, Jesus replies: Let the dead bury their dead (Lk 9:60). With these deliberately provocative words, he intends to affirm the primacy of following him and proclaiming the Kingdom of God, even to the most important realities, such as the family. The urgency to communicate the Gospel, which breaks the chain of death and inaugurates eternal life, does not permit delays, but requires readiness and availability. Therefore, the Church is itinerant, and here the Church is decisive, it acts quickly, at the moment, without waiting.
The third person also wants to follow Jesus but on one condition: he will do so after going to say goodbye to relatives. And this is heard by the Master who replies: No one who puts his hand to the plow and then turns back is suitable for the kingdom of God (Lk 9:62). Following Jesus excludes regrets and looks backwards, but requires the virtue of decision.
In order to follow Jesus, the Church is itinerant, she acts immediately, she is in a hurry, and she acts resolutely. The value of these conditions set by Jesus - itinerancy, readiness and decision - do not lie in a series of no sayings to good and important things in life. Rather, the accent should be placed on the main objective: becoming a disciple of Christ! A free and conscious choice, made out of love, to reciprocate the priceless grace of God, and not made as a way to promote oneself. This is sad! Woe to those who think they are following Jesus in order to promote themselves, that is, to make a career, to feel important or to acquire a place of prestige. Jesus wants us to be passionate about Him and about the Gospel. This is a passion of the heart that translates into concrete gestures of closeness, of closeness to the brothers who are most in need of welcome and care. Just like he himself lived.
May the Virgin Mary, an icon of the Church in motion, help us to joyfully follow the Lord Jesus and proclaim the good news of salvation to our brothers and sisters with renewed love.
Following the recitation of the Angelus, the Holy Father continued:
Dear brothers and sisters!
In the past few hours we have witnessed a good example of the culture of encounter in Korea! I greet the protagonists, with a prayer that such a significant gesture may mark a further step along the journey of peace, not only on that peninsula but for the good of all the world.
On this final day of June, I hope that all workers will be able to rest during the summer and benefit from this time spent with their families.
I am praying for all those who in these days have suffered as a result of the heat: those who are sick, the elderly, persons who have to work in the outdoors, on construction sites .... May no one be abandoned or exploited.
And now, I offer my cordial greetings to all of you, Romans and pilgrims: families, parish groups and associations.
In particular, I greet the group of Sisters of Saint Elizabeth and the pilgrims who have come on bicycles from Sartirana Lomellina. I see that there are many Polish people .... greetings to the Poles. You are very good!
I wish you all a good Sunday. Please, don't forget to pray for me. Enjoy your lunch and good bye.
Testo originale in italiano
Greetings of the Holy Father, Pope Francis
prior to the recitation of the Angelus
Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!
In today's gospel (cf Lk 9:51-62), Saint Luke speaks about the beginning of Jesus' final travel toward Jerusalem, which concludes in chapter 19. It is a long march not only geographically and spatially, but spiritually and theologically towards the fulfillment of the Messiah's mission. Jesus' decision is radical and total, and those who follow him are called to measure themselves against it. Today the Evangelist presents us with three characters - three cases of vocation, we could say - that highlight what is required of those who want to follow Jesus fully, totally.
The first person promises him: I will follow you wherever you go (Lk 9:57). This is generous! But Jesus replies that the Son of man, unlike foxes that have dens and birds that have nests, has nowhere to lay his head (Lk 9:58). The absolute poverty of Jesus. In fact, Jesus had left his paternal home and renounced all security in order to proclaim the Kingdom of God to the lost sheep among his people. In this way, Jesus indicated to us his disciples that our mission in the world cannot be static, but that it must be itinerant. A Christian is an itinerant. The Church, by its very nature, is on the move, it is not sedentary and tranquil in its own enclosure. It is open to the widest horizons, sent - the Church is sent! - to bring the Gospel to the streets and to reach the human and existential suburbs. This is the first characteristic.
The second person that Jesus meets receives the call directly from him, but he replies: Lord, let me go first to bury my father (Lk 9:59). This is a legitimate request, founded on the commandment to honour your father and mother (cf Ex 20,12). However, Jesus replies: Let the dead bury their dead (Lk 9:60). With these deliberately provocative words, he intends to affirm the primacy of following him and proclaiming the Kingdom of God, even to the most important realities, such as the family. The urgency to communicate the Gospel, which breaks the chain of death and inaugurates eternal life, does not permit delays, but requires readiness and availability. Therefore, the Church is itinerant, and here the Church is decisive, it acts quickly, at the moment, without waiting.
The third person also wants to follow Jesus but on one condition: he will do so after going to say goodbye to relatives. And this is heard by the Master who replies: No one who puts his hand to the plow and then turns back is suitable for the kingdom of God (Lk 9:62). Following Jesus excludes regrets and looks backwards, but requires the virtue of decision.
In order to follow Jesus, the Church is itinerant, she acts immediately, she is in a hurry, and she acts resolutely. The value of these conditions set by Jesus - itinerancy, readiness and decision - do not lie in a series of no sayings to good and important things in life. Rather, the accent should be placed on the main objective: becoming a disciple of Christ! A free and conscious choice, made out of love, to reciprocate the priceless grace of God, and not made as a way to promote oneself. This is sad! Woe to those who think they are following Jesus in order to promote themselves, that is, to make a career, to feel important or to acquire a place of prestige. Jesus wants us to be passionate about Him and about the Gospel. This is a passion of the heart that translates into concrete gestures of closeness, of closeness to the brothers who are most in need of welcome and care. Just like he himself lived.
May the Virgin Mary, an icon of the Church in motion, help us to joyfully follow the Lord Jesus and proclaim the good news of salvation to our brothers and sisters with renewed love.
Following the recitation of the Angelus, the Holy Father continued:
Dear brothers and sisters!
In the past few hours we have witnessed a good example of the culture of encounter in Korea! I greet the protagonists, with a prayer that such a significant gesture may mark a further step along the journey of peace, not only on that peninsula but for the good of all the world.
On this final day of June, I hope that all workers will be able to rest during the summer and benefit from this time spent with their families.
I am praying for all those who in these days have suffered as a result of the heat: those who are sick, the elderly, persons who have to work in the outdoors, on construction sites .... May no one be abandoned or exploited.
And now, I offer my cordial greetings to all of you, Romans and pilgrims: families, parish groups and associations.
In particular, I greet the group of Sisters of Saint Elizabeth and the pilgrims who have come on bicycles from Sartirana Lomellina. I see that there are many Polish people .... greetings to the Poles. You are very good!
I wish you all a good Sunday. Please, don't forget to pray for me. Enjoy your lunch and good bye.
Testo originale in italiano
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