Steve Suwannarat The labour agreement, which will come into effect next year, represents a significant opportunity for the small Asian nation’s development. The goal is to avoid dependence on Indonesia or Australia, especially when it comes to resource development. Wong describes the agreement as “mutually beneficial” and “a platform for closer coordination”.
Francis' message for World Mission Day revolves around "three key phrases that synthesize the three foundations of the life and mission of every disciple: “You shall be my witnesses”, “to the ends of the earth” and “you shall receive the power of the Holy Spirit”. "In evangelization, then, the example of a Christian life and the proclamation of Christ are inseparable. One is at the service of the other. They are the two lungs with which any community must breathe, if it is to be missionary.."
"The journey of life and faith demands a deep desire and inner zeal. We need it as Church". "It is also one of the tasks of the Synod: to walk together in listening, so that the Spirit may suggest new ways, ways to bring the Gospel to the hearts of those who are indifferent, distant, of those who have lost hope but seek what the Magi found, 'a most great joy' (Mt 2:10)".
Make room for the God who "does not remain in His blissful eternity and in His infinite light, but makes himself close, becomes flesh, descends into the darkness, inhabits lands alien to him". "Let each one of us be concrete and respond to this. 'Yes, yes, I would like Jesus to come but like this, that I do not have to touch him; this, no, and this yes...'. Everyone has his own sin - let us call it by name. And He is not afraid of our sins: He came to heal us. At least let us let Him see it, let Him see the sin".
In this pandemic, "After the initial reaction phase in which we felt in solidarity in the same boat, the “every man for himself” temptation spread. But thank God we reacted again with a sense of responsibility". "Thanks be to God, because the choice of responsibility in solidarity does not come from the world: it comes from God; indeed, it comes from Jesus Christ, who has once and for all impressed on our history the 'course' of His original vocation: to be all sisters and brothers, children of the one Father".
Francis centred his Urbi et orbi message on the lack of dialogue, not only between States, but also between people, as evinced by violence against women and the tendency “to look the other way” at the sufferings of those forced to leave their homeland. Choosing the Word and the “grace of littleness” means “to believe that God desires to come into the little things of our life; he wants to inhabit our daily lives, the things we do each day at home, in our families, at school and in the workplace.”
“Participation, mission and communion are the characteristics of a humble Church, one attentive to the voice of the Spirit and not self-centred,” said the Pope. “This is the lesson of Christmas: humility is the great condition for faith, for the spiritual life and for holiness.”
"If we proceed with the tired step of grumbling and gossiping, we will not bring God to anyone. Instead, it is so good to cultivate a healthy humour, as did, for example, St Thomas More or St Philip Neri. Let us ask for this grace, for healthy humour". Prayers for the people of the Philippines affected by typhoon Rai.
"Saint Joseph, man of silence, you who in the Gospel did not utter a single word, teach us to fast from vain words, to rediscover the value of words that edify, encourage, console and support. Be close to those who suffer from words that hurt, like slander and backbiting, and help us always to match words with deeds."
In populous countries like India, the rate is 36%; in war-torn Yemen, it is 1.2%. In percentage terms, only in Africa is worse. The storage of vaccines at low temperatures and the shortcomings of local healthcare systems are biggest factors. The solution could be the use of an oral or nasal spray that does not require refrigeration or the assistance of health workers.
“The rights of workers, migrants, the sick, unborn children, those at the end of their life and the poorest are ever more frequently neglected and or denied in this throwaway culture. Those who do not have the capacity to spend and to consume seem to be worth nothing. But to deny fundamental rights, to deny the right to a dignified life, to physical, psychological and spiritual care, to a fair wage, is to deny human dignity.”
The number of jailed reporters rose from 280 in 2020 to 293 this year with China, Myanmar and Egypt leading the way. For the first time, Hong Kong journalists are jailed for their work. At least 24 reporters have been killed this year, the latest in the Philippines.
“[L]et us look into the eyes of the discarded people we meet, let us be provoked by the faces of children, children of desperate migrants. Let us allow ourselves to be moved by their suffering in order to react to our indifference; let us look at their faces, to awaken us from the slumber of habit!” Holiness is “living humbly and joyfully, like the Madonna, what happens each day, freed from ourselves, with our eyes fixed on God and the neighbour we meet”.
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