Vatican City (AsiaNews) - Following the example of the Ulma family - who in 1944 paid with their lives for the protection offered to some Jews persecuted by the Nazis - "let us feel called to oppose the force of arms with that of charity, the rhetoric of violence with the tenacity of prayer."
On the day in which Jozef and Viktoria Ulma and their 7 children (one of whom is still in her womb) were proclaimed blessed in Markowa, Poland, Pope Francis invites them to follow in their footsteps "in service to those in need".
He said this while addressing the faithful present in St. Peter's Square for the Sunday Angelus prayer. Citing the family exterminated by the Nazis in Poland on 24 March 1944 - and who today in Poland in a ceremony presided over by Card. Marcello Semeraro, prefect of the dicastery for the causes of saints was elevated to the honor of the altars - Francis observed how "the hatred and violence that characterized that time they opposed evangelical love".
May this "ray of light in the darkness of the Second World War be a model for all of us to imitate in the drive for good, in the service of those in need. Let us do it above all for many countries that are suffering because of the war: let us intensify our prayers for the tormented Ukraine which is suffering so much".
The pontiff then wanted to express once again his closeness "to the dear people of Morocco", hit by the devastating earthquake two nights ago.
“I pray for the wounded, for the many who lost their lives and for their families," – said Francis. "I thank rescuers and those who are working to alleviate people's suffering. May everyone's concrete help support the population in this tragic moment."
Before the Marian prayer, inspired by the Gospel passage from today's liturgical (Mt 18:15-20), Pope Francis spoke of fraternal correction "which is one of the highest expressions of love, and also one of the most demanding".
The pontiff went back to opposing it to gossip which "is not right and does not please God. I never tire of repeating that gossip is a plague on the life of individuals and communities, because it brings division, suffering and scandal, and never helps to improve and grow."
Faced with a brother who makes a mistake, Jesus invites him to speak to us “one to one, loyally, to help him understand. Do it for his good – Francis invited -, overcoming shame and finding true courage, which is not to gossip, but to say things to the face with meekness and kindness ”.
And even when he doesn't understand - he added, quoting the Gospel - "involve the community", but not "to put a person in the pillory, publicly shaming him", but to "unite everyone's efforts to help him change.
Pointing the finger at it is not good, in fact it often makes it more difficult for those who made a mistake to recognize their mistake.
Rather, the community must make him or her feel that, while condemning the error, it is close in prayer and affection, always ready to offer forgiveness and to start over".
Hence the invitation to ask ourselves in front of the brother who makes mistakes: "Do I pray for him or her, do I ask for help to do good? And do our communities take care of those who fall, so that they can get up and start a new life? What do you do: point your finger or open your arms? Mary, who continued to love even though she heard people condemn her Son of hers – he concluded – help us to always seek the path of goodness ”.
