World Day of the Poor, Pope: 'Poverty is a scandal'
Bergoglio during celebration at St. Peter's: "Let us share our bread." Asked to think of the "invisible poor," asking for prayers that we become close to them. Thoughts turn to the people of Myanmar, Ukraine, Palestine and Israel: "Peace is possible!"
Vatican City (AsiaNews) - There is an "immense multitude of poor" in the world. Pope Francis stated this during the homily of the Holy Mass celebrated this morning at 10 in St. Peter's Basilica on the occasion of the VII World Day of the Poor, with the theme "Do not turn your face from anyone who is poor" (Tb 4, 7) .
“Poverty is a scandal,” he said in front of the over 5 thousand faithful present. “The message of the Gospel (the parable of the talents, ed.) is clear: let's not bury the Lord's goods! Let's put charity into circulation, let's share our bread, let's multiply love!”.
The pontiff, who this Sunday shares lunch in the Paul VI Hall with the poor people hosted in the Vatican, asked us to think about the many forms of poverty in our world, "material, cultural and spiritual".
But also to those "poor people who have become invisible" due to the indifference of "a busy and distracted society". And again: “Let us think of those who are oppressed, tired, marginalized, of the victims of wars and of those who leave their land risking their lives; to those who are without bread, without work and without hope."
Here, in reference to today's Word (Mt 25, 14-30) which tells of a man who delivers his goods to his three servants, the Pope asked us to pray so that, "according to the gift received", each one commits himself to favor of charity, "to be close to some poor person".
Commenting on the parable of the talents during the homily, Pope Francis focused on two paths: "the journey of Jesus and the journey of our life". The first represents the "mystery of Christ himself", "who descended from the bosom of the Father to meet humanity".
After his earthly life he makes the "journey back to the Father". Before leaving, Jesus handed over his possessions to men, a real "capital" to be put to good use, Francis explained. This journey will be followed by another: the one "that Jesus will make at the end of time, when he returns in glory and wants to meet us again". It is important to ask ourselves, then: “How will the Lord find us when he returns? How will I present myself at the appointment with Him?”.
The second journey concerns the way in which man makes the "capital" received bear fruit, which indicates "the love of the Lord, the foundation of our life and the strength of our journey", stated the pontiff.
There are two paths to follow: "we can multiply what we have received, making life an offering of love for others, or we can live blocked by a false image of God and out of fear hide the treasure we have received underground". And so we must ask ourselves: “What do I do with such a great gift along the journey of my life?”.
At the end of the celebration the faithful poured into St. Peter's Square to attend the Angelus. After concluding the recitation of the Marian prayer, the Holy Father recalled yesterday's beatification in Sevilla of Manuel Gonzalés-Serna Rodríguez, "diocesan priest", and his 19 companions, "killed in 1936 in the climate of religious persecution in the Spanish civil war", has explained. “May their example comfort the many Christians who in our time are discriminated against for their faith”. Long applause followed.
He then expressed his closeness to the population of Myanmar, "who unfortunately continues to suffer from violence and abuse". Asking to pray "so that he does not become discouraged and always trusts in the help of the Lord".
Then also remembering the populations of Palestine and Israel who are paying the consequences of the ongoing conflict in the Holy Land which began last October 7th. “Peace is possible!”, He repeated twice. “It takes good will. Let's not resign ourselves to war. And let's not forget that war is always, always, a defeat. Only the manufacturers of the weapons earn,” he continued.
And there was not even a thought addressed to the "tortured Ukraine". “I see the flags here,” Bergoglio said from the window of his study in the Apostolic Palace, pointing to the square. “Let's continue to pray,” he asked.
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