Pope in Colombia: Only Jesus can disperse the "dense darkness that threatens life"

One million people at the first Mass celebrated by Francis on his trip to Colombia. The darkness of social injustice, the interests of those who exploit for themselves what is destined for everyone, the lack of respect for life, the thirst for vengeance, the insensitivity to the pain of so many victims.

Bogotá (AsiaNews) - In Colombia, as in other places, "there is a dense darkness that threatens and destroys life." The first Mass celebrated yesterday by Pope Francis in this trip to Colombia  was dedicated to peace and life.

There is the darkness of "injustice and social inequality," those "corrupting personal or group interests, consuming in an egoistic and unbridled manner what is meant for the well-being of all", those "of non-respect for human life which daily destroys the life of many innocents, whose blood cries out to heaven"; the darkness of thirst for vengeance and the hatred which stains the hands of those who would right wrongs on their own authority; the darkness of those who become numb to the pain of so many victims.

One million people (in the photo) crowded the great Simon Bolivar park to hear the Pope, despite occasional raining. Among them were also victims of the civil war and groups of Venezuelans, with the flags and the image of their patron, the Virgin of Coromoto. Francis also had a brief meeting with some bishops of the nearby country. There was also a group of disabled people in the crowd, amongst whom Francis stopped and who accompanied him for a short stretch, to the foot of the stage.

In his homily, commenting on the passage of the Gospel of Luke, in which Jesus preaches at the Sea of ​​Galilee, understood as "immensity where all peoples live," Francis said that Colombia, a land of "unimaginable fertility", could give fruits to all," but "there are a thick clouds of darkness that threaten and destroy life. " And only Jesus is able to disperse them.

Like Colombia, he went on to say that the local Church also had " the Church in Colombia knows also about unsuccessful and fruitless pastoral work…, but, like Peter, we too are able to trust the Master, whose word is fruitful even where the hostility of human darkness renders so many attempts and efforts fruitless" . Because the Gospel invitation to "cast nets" is not only addressed to Simon Peter.

The Pope explained that “the command to cast out the nets is not directed only to Simon Peter; he was directed to put out into the deep, like those in your homeland who first recognized what is most compelling, like those who took the initiative for peace, for life". Laying networks involves "responsibility". " In Bogotá and in Colombia a vast community journeys forwards, called to conversion in a healthy net that gathers everyone into unity, working for the defense and care of human life, especially when it is most fragile and vulnerable”. And these communities can become "living, righteous, and fraternal communities if they listen to and accept the Word of God". They will be so evangelized and will follow Jesus, loving "life at all stages", respecting and promoting it.

• Vatican
• Colombia
• Venezuela
• Pope Francis
• life
• injustice
• selfishness