VATICAN CITY. The Pontiff from the window of the Vatican Apostolic Palace expresses his pain because “this year more weapons were made than last year”. He expressed this at the Angelus in St. Peter’s Square after having launched a heartfelt appeal for Ukraine: we need to open a serious dialogue, “Christmas bring peace”.
Francis begins by recalling that today’s Gospel of the Liturgy, “the third Sunday of Advent, presents various groups of people – crowds, tax collectors and soldiers – who are touched by the preaching of John the Baptist and then ask him:” What should we do ? “. What should we do? Let’s stop on this question ».
The question «does not start from a sense of duty. Rather, it is the heart touched by the Lord, it is the enthusiasm for his coming that leads us to say: what should we do? ». The Bishop of Rome gives an example: «We think that a loved one is coming to visit us. We await it with joy and impatience. To welcome her properly we will clean the house, prepare the best possible lunch, maybe a gift … In short, we will get busy. So it is with the Lord, the joy of his coming makes us say: what should we do? But God raises this question to the highest level: what to do with my life? What am I called to? What does it make me? ».
In suggesting this reflection, the Gospel recalls “an important thing: life has a task for us. It is not meaningless, it is not left to chance. No! It is a gift that the Lord gives us by telling us: find out who you are, and work hard to realize the dream that is your life! Each of us – let us not forget – is a mission to be fulfilled ». Therefore, we must not be afraid “to ask the Lord: what should I do? Let’s ask him this question often. It also returns in the Bible: in the Acts of the Apostles some people, listening to Peter announcing the resurrection of Jesus, “felt their hearts pierced and said to Peter and the other apostles: ‘What must we do, brothers?'” “. The Pope exhorts: «Let us also ask ourselves: what is good to do for me and for the brothers? How can I contribute to the good of the Church, of society? ». Advent is for this: «To stop and ask ourselves how to prepare for Christmas. We are busy with so many preparations, for gifts and things that pass, but let’s ask ourselves what to do for Jesus and for others!
When asked “what should we do?”, John the Baptist’s answers follow in the Gospel, which are different for each group. John, in fact, recommends that those who have two tunics share with those who have none; to the tax collectors, who collect taxes, he says: “Do not demand anything more than what has been fixed for you”; and to the soldiers: “Do not mistreat or extort anything from anyone.” “To each one is addressed” a specific word, which concerns the real situation of his life “.
This according to Bergoglio «offers a precious teaching: faith is incarnated in concrete life. It is not an abstract and generalized theory, it touches the flesh and transforms everyone’s life ».
In conclusion, «let us ask ourselves: what can I do concretely? How can I do my part? ». Here is the Pontiff’s response: «Let us make a concrete commitment, even a small one, that adapts to our life situation, and let’s carry it out to prepare ourselves for this Christmas. For example: I can call that person alone, visit that elderly person or that sick person, do something to serve a poor person, someone in need. Again: perhaps I have a forgiveness to ask, a situation to clarify, a debt to pay. Maybe I neglected prayer and after a long time it is time to approach the Lord’s forgiveness. Let’s find something concrete – it is Francis’ invitation – and let’s do it! May Our Lady help us, in whose womb God became flesh ».
After the Marian Prayer, the Pope wishes “to assure my prayers for dear Ukraine, for all its Churches and religious communities and for all its people so that the tensions” are “resolved through serious international dialogue and not with arms. May this Christmas of the Lord bring peace to Ukraine ”.
Francesco adds: «The statistics pains me so much. I read the latest: this year more weapons were made than last year. Weapons are not the way! ».
The Pope blesses the Babies of the crib brought by the children of the Roman parishes. This event from the time of Pope St. Paul VI marks the third Sunday of Advent and today is back in attendance after the stop due to the pandemic. The initiative is animated by the Roman Oratory Center. “I greet the boys and girls who have come with your Bambinelli to receive the blessing, I thank the Roman Oratory Center and I ask you to bring my best wishes for a Merry Christmas to your grandparents and all your loved ones”.
Francis greets the faithful of the American continent who have gathered today in St. Peter’s Square to celebrate, by reciting the rosary, Our Lady of Guadalupe: “Let’s start preparing the Guadalupan Jubilee of 2031 and the Jubilee of Redemption of 2033, we must always walk forward” . The Pontiff thanks for the public prayer appointment this morning and hopes that there will still be appointments like this for “the renewal of the Church and society that we so much need in America and in the world”.
The Pope wishes Caritas Internationalis for its 70th anniversary: ”Continue to witness and embody the love of the Church for the poor and the most vulnerable throughout the world!”, He writes in a tweet. While at the Angelus he adds: “Dear friends of Caritas Internationalis, continue your work to streamline the organization so that the money does not go to the organization but to the poor, streamline this organization well”. The Caritas service “is an antidote – he underlines – to the culture of waste and indifference”.
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