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Sunday, January 15, 2017
ANGELUS POPE FRANCIS
Saint Peter's Square-Sunday, 8 January 2017
 
PHOTO: Zenit.org / Angelus / PHOTO.VA - OSSERVATORE ROMANO
FEAST OF THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Good morning!
Today, the Feast of the Baptism of Jesus, the Gospel (Mt 3:13-17) describes the scene which occurred at the River Jordan: Jesus, too, is in the midst of the penitent crowd which approaches John the Baptist to receive baptism. He stood in line. John would like to prevent him from [being baptized], saying: “I need to be baptized by you” (3:14). The Baptist, indeed, is aware of the great distance there is between him and Jesus. But Jesus has come precisely to bridge the gap between man and God: if He is completely on God’s side, He is also completely on mankind’s side, and reunites what had been separated. For this reason he asks John to baptize him, so that all righteousness may be fulfilled (cf. v. 15), namely, that the plan of God may be fulfilled, the plan which passes by way of obedience and solidarity with fragile and sinful mankind, the way of humility and of God’s full closeness to his children. Because God is very close to us, very close!

At the moment in which Jesus, baptized by John, comes out of the waters of the River Jordan, the voice of God the Father is heard from on high: “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (v. 17). At the same time the Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove, alights upon Jesus, who publicly begins his mission of salvation; a mission characterized by a manner: the way of a humble and gentle servant, armed only with the power of truth, as Isaiah had prophesied: “He will not cry or lift up his voice, … a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice” (42:2-3). A humble and gentle servant.

This is Jesus’ way, as well as the manner of Christ’s disciples’ missionary work: To proclaim the Gospel with gentleness, but also firmness, without shouting, without reprimanding anyone, but gently and firmly, without arrogance or imposition. The true mission is never proselytism, but drawing people to Christ. But how? How is this attraction to Christ achieved? With one’s own witness, starting from the unwavering union with him in prayer, in adoration and in concrete works of charity, which is service to Jesus present in the least of his brothers and sisters. In imitation of Jesus, the good and merciful Shepherd, and moved by his grace, we are called to make our life a joyous testimony that illuminates the way, that brings hope and love.

This feast makes us rediscover the gift and the beauty of being a community of baptized, that is, of sinners — we all are sinners — saved by the grace of Christ, truly integrated, by the work of the Holy Spirit, in the filial relationship of Jesus with the Father, welcomed into the bosom of Mother Church, making possible a brotherhood that knows no barriers or borders.

May the Virgin Mary help all of us Christians to maintain an ever keen and grateful awareness of our own Baptism and to faithfully follow the path opened by this Sacrament of our rebirth. Ever with humility, gentleness and firmness.

After the Angelus:
Dear brothers and sisters! In the context of the Feast of the Lord’s Baptism, this morning I baptized a large group of infants: 28. Let us pray for them and for their families. Also, yesterday afternoon, I baptized a young catechumen. And I would like to extend my prayer to all parents who in this period are preparing for a child’s Baptism or have recently celebrated it. I invoke the blessing of the Holy Spirit upon them and their children, so that this Sacrament, so simple but at the same time so important, may be lived with faith and joy.

I would also like to invite you to join in the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, which spreads, also through social networks, the prayer intentions I propose for the Church each month. In this way, the Apostleship of Prayer moves forward and communion grows.

In these very cold days, I think of and invite you to think of all of the people who live on the streets, suffering the cold and oftentimes indifference. Unfortunately, some have not survived. We pray for them and we ask the Lord to warm our hearts so that we may be able to help them.

I greet you all, faithful of Rome, pilgrims from Italy and from other countries. In particular, the group of young people from Cagliari, Italy whom I encourage to continue on the journey which began with the Sacrament of Confirmation. And I thank them because they offer me the occasion to stress that Confirmation is not only a destination — as some say, the “farewell sacrament”, no no! — it is above all a point of departure in Christian life. Go forth with the joy of the Gospel!

I wish everyone a happy Sunday. Please, do not forget to pray for me. Enjoy your lunch. Arrivederci!
     
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Friday, January 13, 2017
ANGELUS POPE FRANCIS
Saint Peter's Square-Friday, 6 January 2017
 
PHOTO: Zenit.org / PHOTO.VA - OSSERVATORE ROMANO
SOLEMNITY OF THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Good morning!
Today we are celebrating the Epiphany of the Lord, which is the manifestation of Jesus who shines as a light for all peoples. A symbol of this light, that shines in the world and seeks to enlighten the life of each one of us, is the star that guided the Magi to Bethlehem. The Gospel says that they had “seen his star in the East” (Mt 2:2) and they chose to follow it: they chose to be guided by the star of Jesus.

In our life too, there are several stars, lights that twinkle and guide. It is up to us to choose which ones to follow. For example, there are flashing lights that come and go, like the small pleasures of life: though they may be good, they are not enough, because they do not last long and they do not leave the peace we seek. Then there is the dazzling limelight of money and success which promises everything, and at once. It is seductive, but with its intensity, blinds and causes dreams of glory to fade into the thickest darkness. The Magi, instead, invite us to follow a steady light, a gentle light that does not wane, because it is not of this world: it comes from heaven and shines ... where? In the heart.

This true light is the light of the Lord, or rather, it is the Lord himself. He is our light: a light that does not dazzle, but accompanies and bestows a unique joy. This light is for everyone and it calls each one of us. In this way, we can hear addressed to us today’s invitation from the prophet Isaiah: “Arise, shine” (60:1). So said Isaiah, prophesying this joy of today in Jerusalem, “Arise, shine”. At the beginning of each day we can welcome this invitation: arise, shine, and follow today — among the many shooting stars in the world — the bright star of Jesus! Following it, we will experience the joy, as happened to the Magi, who “when they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy” (Mt 2:10); because where there is God, there is joy. Those who have encountered Jesus have experienced the miracle of light that pierces the darkness and know this light that illuminates and brightens. I would like, with great respect, to invite everyone not to fear this light and to open up to the Lord. Above all, I would like to say to those who have lost the strength to seek, who are tired, to those who, overwhelmed by the darkness of life, have extinguished this yearning: arise, take heart, the light of Jesus can overcome the deepest darkness. Arise, take heart!

And how do we find this divine light? We follow the example of the Magi, whom the Gospel describes as always on the move. He who wants the light, in fact, goes out of himself and seeks: he is not withdrawn, immobile, watching what is happening around him, but rather, he puts his own life at stake; he goes out of himself. Christian life is a continuous journey, made of hope, a quest; a journey which, like that of the Magi, continues even when the star momentarily disappears from view. On this journey there are also pitfalls that should be avoided: superficial and mundane gossip, which slows the pace; the paralyzing selfish whims; the pit of pessimism that ensnares hope. These obstacles hindered the scribes, of whom today’s Gospel speaks. They knew where the light was, but did not move. When Herod asked them, ‘Where will the Messiah be born?’ [They answered], ‘In Bethlehem!’. They knew where, but did not budge. Their knowledge was vain: they knew many things, but it was useless, all in vain. It is not enough to know that God is born, if you do not celebrate with him Christmas in the heart. God is born, yes, but is he born in your heart? Is he born in my heart? Is he born in our hearts? And in this way we will find him, as did the Magi, with Mary and Joseph in the stable.

The Magi went forth: having found the Child, “they fell down and worshiped him” (v. 11). They did not just look at him, they did not just say a circumstantial prayer and leave, no indeed, they worshiped: they entered into a personal communion of love with Jesus. Then they offered him gold, frankincense and myrrh, namely, their most precious belongings. Let us learn from the Magi not to devote to Jesus only spare time and an occasional thought; otherwise we will not receive his light. Like the Magi, let us set out, let us shine as we follow the star of Jesus, and let us adore the Lord with all our hearts.

After the Angelus:
Tomorrow the ecclesial communities of the East, which follow the Julian Calendar, will celebrate Holy Christmas. In a spirit of joyful fraternity, I pray that the new birth of the Lord Jesus may fill them with light and peace.

The Epiphany is the Day of Missionary Childhood. I encourage all children and young people who in many parts of the world are committed to spreading the Gospel and to helping their peers in need.
The Magi offer their gifts to Jesus, but in reality, Jesus himself is the true gift of God: he is indeed the God who gives himself to us; in him we see the merciful face of the Father who awaits us, welcomes us, always forgives us; the face of God that never treats us according to our works or according to our sins, but only in accordance with the immensity of his inexhaustible mercy. And speaking of gifts, I too thought I would give you a little gift ... there aren’t any camels, but I will give you the gift of the Icons of Mercy booklet. God’s gift is Jesus, mercy of the Father; and this is why in order to remember this gift of God, I am giving you this gift that will be distributed by the poor, by the homeless and by refugees along with many volunteers and religious whom I cordially greet and thank wholeheartedly.

I wish you a year of justice, forgiveness, serenity, but above all, a year of mercy. It will help you to read this book: it is pocket-sized, so you can take it with you. Please, do not forget to give me, too, the gift of your prayers. May the Lord bless you. Happy feast day, enjoy your lunch and Arrivederci!

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Thursday, January 12, 2017
Hari ini di Bolivia, Besok di Indonesia

Penduduk asli Pacahuara, Bolivia, FOTO: angriwhitekid.blogs.com

Kematian sebuah bahasa mirip dengan kematian manusia. Kadang-kadang, tidak ada yang bisa diprediksi. Seperti kematian manusia, kematian sebuah bahasa kadang-kadang menjadi misteri.

Meski menjadi misteri, kematian bahasa sebenarnya masih bisa diantisipasi. Bahasa—tidak seperti manusia—yang punya dokter khusus. Tidak juga seperti hewan yang punya tenaga medis untuk mengecek keadaannya. Bahasa ada karena manusia ada. Maka, bahasa mesti ada dan hidup sebagaimana penuturnya (manusia) hidup. Dengan cara pandang ini, kematian sebuah bahasa—meski tidak punya dokter untuk mengontrolnya—tetap bisa diantisipasi. Bahasa tidak mesti mati begitu saja.

Di Bolivia, ada sebuah bahasa yang hampir mati. Penuturnya sisa 4 orang. Yang terakhir meninggal akhir tahun lalu. Saat ini, hanya mereka berempat yang menjadi penutur bahasa langka ini. Bahasa ini disebut Bahasa Pacahuara karena lahir dan hidup di sebuah suku asli di Pacahuara, di wilayah Amazzonia, Bolivia. Keempat penutur ini sekarang tinggal di daerah Tujure, sebuah daerah adat di wilayah Pacahuara.

Dua dari penutur ini sekarang sudah tua. Keduanya (Maro e Buca)—bersama cucu mereka Bose dan shacu—hadir dalam perayaan misa requiem dari saudara mereka Baji setelah tahun baru yang lalu. Kematian Baji sekaligus menjadi alarm bagi kehidupan Bahasa Pacahuara. Saat itu, keempat penutur ini memang hadir. Mereka menjadi sebuah komunitas pengguna bahasa Pacahuara.
 
Beberapa warga Pacahuara dalam liputan BBC tahun 2013 yang lalu, FOTO: bbc.com
Daerah Tujure sendiri makin hari makin sepi. Banyak penghuni meninggalkan daerah ini. Keluarga Maro dan Buca adalah keluarga terakhir yang masih setia tinggal dan menggunakan Bahasa Pacahuara. Boleh dibilang, harta warisan kultural ini tetap ada dan hidup saat ini karena jasa mereka. Entah sampai kapan bahasa ini dipertahankan. Kehidupan bahasa ini berada dalam tangan mereka. Jika mereka semuanya tidak ada, bahasa ini juga akan lenyap. Tetapi, semoga ada anak-cucu mereka yang melanjutkan bahasa ini.

Sekitar 11 tahun lalu, dosen Bahasa Indonesia kami di kota Yogyakarta pernah menyinggung soal ini. Kata dia waktu itu, di Indonesia juga ada gejala seperti ini. Beberapa bahasa di daerah Papua—lanjutnya—akan punah seiring dengan pengurangan penuturnya. Papua sampai saat ini kaya akan bahasa daerah. Sayang, beberap dari yang banyak ini memiliki penghuni kurang dari 500 orang. Saat itu—menurut dosen kami—ada kriteria dari Unesco-PBB bahwa bahasa yang penuturnya hanya 500 orang ke bawah akan dikategorikan sebagai bahasa mati. Dengan kriteria ini—kata pak dosen—beberapa dari bahasa di Papua akan punah.

Jika kriteria ini diterapkan pada Bahasa Pacahuara, otomatis bahasa ini sudah mati. Bolehlah dibilang demikian. Dan, nyatanya kematian bahasa ini sudah diambang pintu. Memang masih menjadi misteri. Seperti misteri dari sebuah kematian dari seorang manusia.

Kematian bahasa ini ada di tangan keluarga Ibu Baji. Ibu Baji sudah meninggal, keempat keluarganya sebagai penutur utama menjadi penentu utama kehidupan bahasa ini. Keluarga almarhumah Baji termasuk kuat. Mereka adalah keluarga terakhir—boleh dibilang demikian—yang hidup di daerah Tujure.

Daerah Tujure abad ke-8 yang lalu masih dihuni oleh sekitar 50.000 orang. Saat itu, pekerjaan mereka adalah berburu di hutan, pelaut, dan petani buah. Ini adalah beberapa pekerjaan utama dari kelompok suku tua di daerah ini.
 
Salah satu model gerbang masuk di kawasan Pacahuara, FOTO: connectas.org
Pekerjaan ini mereka tinggalkan dan pengaruhnya mulai luntur saat tiba kebiasaan baru yakni menjadi petani karet. Daerah ini menjadi penghasil karet yang besar. Malangnya, para penduduk Tujure pun menjadi tamu di atas tanah mereka. Perusahaan multinasional dari Inggris dan Jerman datang menyerbu tanah mereka. Dalam waktu yang singkat, penduduk Tujure pun meninggalkan daerah mereka.

Perusahaan ini bukan saja ‘mengusir’ penduduk Tujure. Mereka juga menggali tanah dan membiarkannya menganga tanpa pohon, tampak tandus tak bertumbuhan, membuat petak-petak kecil untuk menghalang penduduk asli bekerja di atas lahan itu. Pemandangan ini sungguh tanpa kehidupan. Tanah yang subur dibiarkan mati. Tidak ada kehidupan di sana. Situasi ini membuat penduduk Tujure pergi meninggalkan tanah leluhur mereka. Dalam sekejap, dari abad ke-8 ke abad ke-9, penghuninya berkurang menjadi satu keluarga saja dengan 9 anggota keluarga.

Keluarga ini adalah keluarga Ibu Baji. Saat ini, dari 9 menjadi 4 orang saja. Keluarga ini sebenarnya menjadi penerus atau ahli waris bukan saja dari Bahasa Pacahuara, tetapi juga budaya dan adat istiadat Pacahuara. Sayang, seperti nasib bahasa mereka, budaya dan adat istiadat pun akan hilang. Kematian bahasa kini sekaligus juga menjadi ancaman bahkan menjadi kematian dari budaya dan adat istiadat itu sendiri.

Bersama bahasa Pacahuara, keberadaan dialek dan bahasa kecil lainnya di daerah Amazzonia pun akan terancam. Dalam 10 tahun terakhir ini, sekitar 100 dialek asli Ammazzonia punah. Dialek ini punah bersamaan dengan terancamnya kehidupan dari suku asli. Mereka ‘terusir’ dari tanah leluhurnya oleh perusahaan multinasional yang mengeruk kekayaan alam mereka. Hutan Amazzonia dengan kekayaan emas, batu alam, kayu, dan sumber alam lainnya menjadi rebutan para perusahaan multinasional. Sayang perebutan ini pun berujung pada ‘pengusiran warga lokal’.

Makin malang bagi penduduk lokal karena kebijaksaan lokal juga ikut punah. Selain Bahasa Pacahuara, bahasa Resignaro juga mengalami nasib sama. Bahasa ini pamit lebih dulu dengan kematian penutur terakhirnya yakni Rosa Andrade dari Peru. Nasib 51 bahasa lokal lainnya juga akan terancam. Boleh jadi akan menjadi seperti bahasa Resignaro. Sungguh sayang, bahasa—budaya—adat istiadat—dan kebijaksaan warisan mereka akan punah. Padahal, ini adalah warisan sejarah yang berharga.
 
Salah satu model budaya Pacahuara dalam gambar, FOTO:soldepando.com
UNESCO sebagai promotor perlindungan warisan budaya dunia tidak tinggal diam melihat kenyataan ini. Lembaga ini membuka mata dan membuat penelitian serius. Hasilnya sungguh mengangetkan. Dalam 10 tahun terakhir, 100 bahasa di dunia punah, 400 lainnya sudah terancam akan punah, 51 lainnya hanya digunakan atau diketahui oleh 1 orang saja.

UNESCO juga membuat prospek ke depan. Katanya, pada abad ini (abad ke-21) boleh jadi akan hilang sekitar 7000 dialek di bumi ini atau sekitar 1 dialek dalam setiap 15 hari. Kenyataan ini menjadi sungguh memilukan bagi kelangsungan hidup bahasa dan budaya di dunia. Bahasa dan budaya dari sebuah masyarakat hilang begitu saja. Ini bisa meresahkan bagi pecinta bahasa di seluruh dunia.

Keresahan ini membuat banyak pecinta bahasa bangun dari tidur nyenyaknya. Mereka berusaha agar kematian bahasa dan budaya ini tidak berlangsung cepat. Satu dari pecinta bahasa ini adalah University of Pennsylvania di Amerika Serikat. Universitas ini melalui lembaga penelitiannya Enduring Voices berusaha untuk menyelamatkan beberapa kata dari bahasa-bahasa yang akan punah. Lebih banyak kata akan lebih bagus. Sampai saat ini, mereka sudah menyelamatkan 32.000 kata beserta maknanya. Jika diteruskan, pekerjaan ini juga akan menjadi sebuah kesuksesan besar.

Jika University of Pennsylvania di AS sudah bangun, bagaimana dengan Indonesia? Andai para pendemo, ramai-ramai ke daerah terpencil dan mengumpulkan kata-kata dari bahasa-bahasa yang akan punah di Indonesia, sampai kini, bahasa-bahasa itu pun terselamatkan. Lumayan untuk memperlambat kematian sebuah bahasa. Tetapi, ini hanya angan-angan sebab para pendemo lebih suka menghabiskan waktunya bukan untuk bekerja demi bangsa tetapi demi keegoisan mereka. Indonesia memang beda.

Sekadar berbagi yang dilihat, ditonton, didengar, dirasakan, dialami, dibaca, dan direfleksikan.

SELAMAT TAHUN BARU.

PRM, 10/1/2017
Gordi

*Dari publikasi pertama di blog kompasiana


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Wednesday, January 11, 2017
GENERAL AUDIENCE POPE FRANCIS
Paul VI Audience Hall-Wednesday, 4 January 2017
PHOTO: L'OSSERVATORE ROMANO

Christian hope - 5. Rachel “is weeping for her children”, but... “there is hope for your descendants” (Jer 31)

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Good morning!
In today’s catechesis, I would like to reflect with you on the figure of a woman who speaks to us about hope lived in tears. Hope lived in tears. This is Rachel, wife of Jacob and mother of Joseph and Benjamin: she who, as the Book of Genesis tells us, dies while giving birth to her second-born son, which is Benjamin.

The Prophet Jeremiah refers to Rachel as he addresses the Israelites in exile, trying to console them with words full of emotion and poetry; that is, he takes up Rachel’s lament, but gives hope:
“Thus says the Lord: ‘A voice is heard in Ramah, / lamentation and bitter weeping. / Rachel is weeping for her children; / she refuses to be comforted for her children, / because they are not’” (Jer 31:15).

In these verses, Jeremiah presents this woman of his people, the great matriarch of the tribe, in a situation of suffering and tears, but along with an unexpected outlook on life. Rachel, who in the Genesis account had died in childbirth and had accepted that death so that her son might live, is now instead represented by the Prophet as alive in Ramah, where the deportees gathered, weeping for the children who in a certain sense died going into exile; children who, as she herself says, ‘are no more’, they are lost forever.

For this reason Rachel does not want to be consoled. This refusal of hers expresses the depth of her pain and the bitterness of her tears. Before the tragedy of the loss of her children, a mother cannot accept words or gestures of consolation, which are always inadequate, never capable of alleviating the pain of a wound that cannot and does not want to be healed, a pain proportionate to love.

Every mother knows all of this; and today too, there are many mothers who weep, who do not accept the loss of a child, inconsolable before a death that is impossible to accept. Rachel holds within her the pain of all the mothers of the world, of all time, and the tears of every human being who suffers irreparable loss.

This refusal of Rachel, who does not want to be consoled, also teaches us how much sensitivity is asked of us before other people’s suffering. In order to speak of hope to those who are desperate, it is essential to share their desperation. In order to dry the tears from the faces of those who are suffering, it is necessary to join our tears with theirs. Only in this way can our words be really capable of giving a little hope. If I cannot speak words in this way, with tears, with suffering, then silence is better: a caress, a gesture and no words.

God, with his sensitivity and his love, responds to Rachel’s tears with true words, not contrived; in fact Jeremiah’s text continues in this way:
“Thus says the Lord:” — he responds to those tears — “‘Keep your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears; / for your work shall be rewarded, says the Lord, / and they shall come back from the land of the enemy. / There is hope for your future, says the Lord, / and your children shall come back to their own country’” (Jer 31:16-17).

Precisely through the mother’s tears, there is still hope for the children, who will return to life. This woman, who had accepted death at the moment of childbirth, so that the child might live, is, with her tears, the beginning of new life for the children who are exiled, prisoners, far from their homeland. To the suffering and bitter tears of Rachel the Lord responds with a promise that can now be the source of true consolation for her: the people will be able to return from exile and freely experience in faith their own relationship with God. The tears generated hope. This is not easy to understand, but it is true. So often, in our life, tears sow hope; they are seeds of hope.

As we know, this text of Jeremiah is later taken up by the Evangelist Matthew and applied to the massacre of the innocents (cf. 2:16-18). A text which places before us the tragedy of the killing of defenceless human beings, the horror of power which scorns and terminates life. The children of Bethlehem die because of Jesus. And he, the innocent Lamb, would then die, in turn, for all of us. The Son of God entered the suffering of mankind. This must not be forgotten. When someone addresses me and asks me difficult questions, for example: ‘Tell me, Father: why do children suffer?’, truly, I do not know how to respond. I say only: ‘Look at the Crucifix: God gave us his Son, he suffered, and perhaps you will find an answer there’. But there are no answers here [pointing to his head]. Just looking at the love of God who gives his Son who offers his life for us can indicate some path of consolation. For this reason we say that the Son of God entered the pain of mankind; he shared it and embraced death; his Word is definitively the word of consolation, because it is born of suffering.

And on the Cross it will be He, the dying Son, to give new fertility to his mother, entrusting to her the disciple John and making her mother of the people of faith. Death is conquered, and thus Jeremiah’s Prophecy is fulfilled. Mary’s tears, too, like those of Rachel, generated hope and new life. Thank you.

Special greetings:
I address a warm welcome to the Italian-speaking pilgrims, and I wish everyone serenity and peace for the new year.

I greet the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today’s Audience, particularly those from Australia, Canada and the United States of America. May each of you, and your families, cherish the joy of this Christmas season, and draw near in prayer to the Saviour who has come to dwell among us. God bless you!

Lastly, I am pleased to greet young people, the sick, and newlyweds. Dear young people, I wish that you may be able to consider each day of the new year as a gift of God, to be lived with thanksgiving and rectitude, and always going forward! Always. May the new year bring you, dear sick people, consolation in body and in spirit. May the Lord be close to you and may Our Lady comfort you. And may you, dear newlyweds, commit yourselves to achieve a sincere communion of life according to God’s plan.


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Sunday, January 08, 2017
ANGELUS POPE FRANCIS
Saint Peter's Square-Sunday, 1st January 2017

SOLEMNITY OF MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD
WORLD DAY OF PEACE
 
PHOTO: Zenit.org / Screenshot CTV
Dear Brothers and Sisters, Good morning!
In recent days we have rested our adoring gaze on the Son of God, born in Bethlehem; today, the Solemnity of Mary Most Holy Mother of God, we turn our gaze to the Mother, while reflecting upon each of them in their close relation. This bond is not exhausted for the fact of having begot and been begotten; Jesus is “born of woman” (Gal 4:4) for a mission of salvation, and his mother is not excluded from this mission, but rather, is intimately associated with it. Mary is aware of this. Therefore she is not closed to considering only her maternal relationship with Jesus, but remains open and attentive toward all the events that take place around him: she keeps and ponders, scrutinizes and closely examines them, as today’s Gospel reading tells us (cf. Lk 2:19). She has already said her ‘yes’ and conveyed her willingness to be involved in the fulfillment of the salvific plan of God, who “has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts, he has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted those of low degree, he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent empty away” (Lk 1:51-53). Now, silent and attentive, she tries to understand what God asks of her day by day.

The visit of the shepherds offers her the opportunity to understand something of God’s will as manifested by these humble and poor people. Luke the Evangelist recounts for us the shepherds’ visit to the grotto with a close succession of verbs expressing movement. He thus says: they go with haste, they find the Babe with Mary and Joseph, they see, they report what they had been told about him, and lastly they glorify God (cf. Lk 2:16-20). Mary closely follows this passage, what the shepherds say, what has happened to them, because she already perceives in it the movement of salvation, which will flow from the work of Jesus, and she adapts, ready for every request of the Lord. God asks Mary not only to be mother of his only begotten Son, but also to cooperate with the Son and for the Son in the plan of salvation, in order that in her, a humble handmaid, great works of divine mercy may be fulfilled.

Now, as we, like the shepherds, contemplate the icon of the Babe in his mother’s arms, we feel growing in our hearts a sense of immense gratitude to She who has given the Saviour to the world. For this reason, on the first day of a new year, we say to her:
Thank you, O Holy Mother of the Son of God, Holy Mother of God! / Thank you for your humility which drew the gaze of God; / thank you for the faith with which you received his Word; / thank you for the courage with which you said ‘here I am’, / forgetting yourself, enthralled by Holy Love, / made wholly one with his hope. / Thank you, O Holy Mother of God! / Pray for us, pilgrims in time; / help us to walk on the path of peace. / Amen.

After the Angelus:
Dear brothers and sisters, Happy New Year! The year shall be good in the measure that each of us, with God’s help, seeks to do good day by day. In this way peace is built, saying ‘no’ — with deeds — to hatred and to violence, and ‘yes’ to brotherhood and reconciliation. Fifty years ago, Blessed Paul VI began celebrating on this day the World Day of Peace, so as to strengthen the common commitment to build a peaceful and fraternal world. In this year’s Message, I proposed adopting non-violence as a style of politics for peace.

Unfortunately, violence has struck even in this night of good wishes and of hope. Sadly, I express my closeness to the Turkish people; I pray for the numerous victims and for the injured, and for the entire Nation in mourning, and I ask the Lord to support all men and women of good will who roll up their sleeves to face the scourge of terrorism and this stain of blood which covers the world with a shadow of fear and dismay.

I wish to thank the President of the Italian Republic for the expression of good wishes that he addressed to me last evening, during his Message to the Nation. I reciprocate wholeheartedly, invoking the Lord’s blessing upon the Italian people so that, with their responsible contribution in solidarity with all, they may look to the future with confidence and hope.

I greet all of you present here, families, associations and youth groups, wishing you a happy and peaceful new year. I express my gratitude for the many initiatives of prayer and of commitment to peace taking place in every part of the world. I remember in particular last evening’s national march held in Bologna, sponsored by CEI, Caritas, Catholic Action and Pax Christi, with the support of the Diocese and Municipality of Bologna.

I greet the participants in the “Peace in all lands” demonstration, sponsored by the Community of Sant’Egidio. Thank you for your presence and your witness!

To all I wish a year of peace in the Lord’s grace and with the maternal protection of Mary, Mother of God.

Happy feast day and, please, do not forget to pray for me. Enjoy your lunch! Arrivederci!
          
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Wednesday, January 04, 2017
GENERAL AUDIENCE POPE FRANCIS
Wednesday, 28 December 2016
 
PHOTO: L'OSSERVATORE ROMANO

Speaker:
Dear Brothers and Sisters: Our continuing catechesis on Christian hope leads us in these Christmas days to consider the example of Abraham, who, as Saint Paul tells us, “hoped against hope” in God’s promises. Trusting in the Lord’s word that a son would be born to him, Abraham left his home for a new land. Although the fulfilment of God’s promise was long delayed and seemed to be impossible, Abraham continued to hope. Even his discouragement and complaints were a sign of his continuing trust in God. Abraham, our father in faith, shows us that sure trust in God’s word does not mean that we will not have moments of uncertainty, disappointment and bewilderment. It was at such a moment that God appeared to Abraham, called him forth from his tent and showed him the night sky shining with countless stars, assuring him that such would be the number of his descendents. Hope is always directed to the future, to the fulfilment of God’s promises. May the example of Abraham teach us not be afraid to go out from our own tents, our limited outlooks, and to lift our eyes to the stars.

Holy Father:
Saluto i pellegrini di lingua inglese presenti all’odierna Udienza, specialmente quelli provenienti dal Bangldesh e dagli Stati Uniti d’America. A ciascuno di voi e alle vostre famiglie auguro di custodire la gioia di Natale, incontrando nella preghiera il Salvatore che desidera farsi vicino a tutti. Dio vi benedica!

Speaker:
I greet the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today’s Audience, particularly those from Bangladesh and the United States of America. May each of you, and your families, cherish the joy of Christmas and draw near in prayer to the Saviour who has come to dwell among us. God bless you!
       
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Monday, January 02, 2017
FEAST OF ST STEPHEN, PROTOMARTYR

ANGELUS POPE FRANCIS
Saint Peter's Square
Monday, 26 December 2016  
 
PHOTO: L'OSSERVATORE ROMANO
Dear Brothers and Sisters, Good morning!
The joy of Christmas fills our hearts today too, as the liturgy involves us in celebrating the martyrdom of Saint Stephen, the First Martyr, inviting us to reflect on the witness that he gave us with his sacrifice. It is precisely the glorious witness of Christian martyrdom, suffered for love of Christ; the martyrdom which continues to be present in the history of the Church, from Stephen up to our time.

Today’s Gospel (cf. Mt 10:17-22) told us of this witness. Jesus forewarns the disciples of the rejection and persecution they will encounter: “you will be hated by all for my name’s sake” (v. 22). But why does the world persecute Christians? The world hates Christians for the same reason that they hated Jesus: because he brought the light of God, and the world prefers darkness so as to hide its evil works. Let us recall that Jesus himself, at the Last Supper, prayed that the Father might protect us from the wicked worldly spirit. There is opposition between the Gospel and this worldly mentality. Following Jesus means following his light, which was kindled in the night of Bethlehem, and abandoning worldly obscurity.

The Protomartyr Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, was stoned because he professed his faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The Only Begotten Son who comes into the world invites every believer to choose the way of light and life. This is the meaning of his coming among us. Loving the Lord and obeying his voice, the Deacon Stephen chose Christ, Life and Light for all mankind. By choosing truth, he became at the same time a victim of the inexplicable iniquity present in the world. But in Christ, Stephen triumphed!


Today too, in order to bear witness to light and to truth, the Church experiences, in different places, harsh persecution, up to the supreme sacrifice of martyrdom. How many of our brothers and sisters in faith endure abuse and violence, and are hated because of Jesus! I shall tell you something: today’s martyrs are more numerous with respect to those of the first centuries. When we read the history of the first centuries, here in Rome, we read of so much cruelty toward Christians; I tell you: there is the same cruelty today, and to a greater extent, toward Christians. Today we should think of those who are suffering from persecution, and to be close to them with our affection, our prayers and also our tears. Yesterday, Christmas Day, Christians persecuted in Iraq celebrated Christmas in their destroyed cathedral: it is an example of faithfulness to the Gospel. In spite of the trials and dangers, they courageously witness their belonging to Christ and live the Gospel by committing themselves in favour of the least, of the most neglected, doing good to all without distinction; in this way they witness to charity in truth.

In making room in our heart for the Son of God who gives himself to us at Christmas, let us joyfully and courageously renew the will to follow him faithfully, as the only guide, by continuing to live according to the Gospel attitude and rejecting the mentality of those who dominate this world.


Let us raise our prayers to the Virgin Mary, Mother of God and Queen of Martyrs, that she may guide us and always sustain us on our journey in following Jesus Christ, whom we contemplate in the grotto of the Nativity and who is the faithful Witness of God the Father.


After the Angelus:
I express my heartfelt condolences on hearing the distressing news of the Russian aircraft which crashed in the Black Sea. May the Lord comfort the dear Russian people and the families of the passengers who were aboard: journalists, the crew, and the excellent Russian Army choir and orchestra. May the Blessed Virgin Mary support the search operations currently underway. In 2004 the Choir performed in the Vatican for the 26th anniversary of the Pontificate of Saint John Paul II: let us pray for them.

Dear brothers and sisters, in the climate of Christian joy which emanates from the Birth of Jesus, I greet you and thank you for coming.

To all of you who have come from Italy and other nations, I renew my good wishes of peace and serenity: may these be days of joy and fraternity for you and for your families. I greet and convey my best wishes to all those who are named Stephen or Stephanie!

In these weeks I have received many messages of good wishes from the whole world. As I am unable to respond to each one, today I express to everyone my sincere thanks, especially for the gift of prayer. Heartfelt thanks! May the Lord reward you abundantly!

Happy feast day! Please, do not forget to pray for me. Enjoy your lunch. Arrivederci!


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Wednesday, December 28, 2016
GENERAL AUDIENCE POPE FRANCIS
Paul VI Audience Hall Wednesday, 21 December 2016
 
PHOTO: L'OSSERVATORE ROMANO

Christian hope - 3. Christ’s birth is the source of hope

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Good morning!
We have recently begun a catechetical journey on the theme of hope, which is so very appropriate in the Season of Advent. The Prophet Isaiah has guided us up to this point. Today, just days before Christmas, I would like to reflect more specifically on the moment in which, so to speak, hope came into the world, with the incarnation of the Son of God. It was also Isaiah who foretold the birth of the Messiah in several passages: “Behold, a young woman shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel” (7:14); and also: “there shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots” (11:1). In these passages, the meaning of Christmas shines through: God fulfills the promise by becoming man; not abandoning his people, he draws near to the point of stripping himself of his divinity. In this way God shows his fidelity and inaugurates a new Kingdom, which gives a new hope to mankind. And what is this hope? Eternal life.

When we speak of hope, often it refers to what is not in man’s power to realize, which is invisible. In fact, what we hope for goes beyond our strength and our perception. But the Birth of Christ, inaugurating redemption, speaks to us of a different hope, a dependable, visible and understandable hope, because it is founded in God. He comes into the world and gives us the strength to walk with him: God walks with us in Jesus, and walking with him toward the fullness of life gives us the strength to dwell in the present in a new way, albeit arduous. Thus for a Christian, to hope means the certainty of being on a journey with Christ toward the Father who awaits us. Hope is never still; hope is always journeying, and it makes us journey. This hope, which the Child of Bethlehem gives us, offers a destination, a sure, ongoing goal, salvation of mankind, blessedness to those who trust in a merciful God. Saint Paul summarizes all this with the expression: “in this hope we were saved” (Rom 8:24). In other words, walking in this world, with hope, we are saved. Here we can ask ourselves the question, each one of us: am I walking with hope or is my interior life static, closed? Is my heart a locked drawer or a drawer open to the hope which enables me to walk — not alone — with Jesus?

In Christian homes, during the Season of Advent, the Nativity scene is arranged, according to the tradition which dates back to Saint Francis of Assisi. In its simple way, the Nativity scene conveys hope; each one of the characters is immersed in this atmosphere of hope.
First of all we note the place in which Jesus was born: Bethlehem. A small village in Judea where, thousands of years earlier, David was born, the shepherd boy chosen by God to be the King of Israel. Bethlehem is not a capital city, and for this reason is preferred by divine Providence, who loves to act through the little ones and the humble. In that birthplace was born the highly anticipated “Son of David”, Jesus, in whom the hope of God and the hope of man meet.

Then we look to Mary, Mother of hope. With her ‘yes’ she opened the door of our world to God: her maiden’s heart was full of hope, wholly enlivened by faith; and thus God chose her and she believed in his word. She, who for nine months was the Ark of the new and eternal Covenant, in the grotto, contemplates the Child and sees in him the love of God, who comes to save his people and the whole of humanity.

Next to Mary is Joseph, a descendant of Jesse and of David; he too believed in the words of the angel, and looking at Jesus in the manger, reflects on the fact that that Child has come from the Holy Spirit, and that God himself commanded him to call [the Child] ‘Jesus’. In that name there is hope for every man and woman, because through that son of woman, God will save mankind from death and from sin. This is why it is important to contemplate the Nativity scene!

In the Nativity scene there are also shepherds, who represent the humble and poor who await the Messiah, the “consolation of Israel” (Lk 2:25), and the “redemption of Jerusalem” (2:38). In this Child they see the realization of the promises and hope that the salvation of God will finally arrive for each of them. Those who trust in their own certainties, especially material, do not await God’s salvation. Let us keep this in mind: our own assurance will not save us; the only certainty that will save us is that of hope in God. It will save us because it is strong and enables us to journey in life with joy, with the will to do good, with the will to attain eternal happiness. The little ones, the shepherds, instead trust in God, hope in him and rejoice when they recognize in that Child the sign indicated by the angels (cf. Lk 2:12).

The very choir of angels proclaims from on high the great design that the Child fulfills: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom he is pleased” (2:14). Christian hope is expressed in praise and gratitude to God, who has initiated his Kingdom of love, justice and peace.

Dear brothers and sisters, in these days, contemplating the Nativity scene, we prepare ourselves for the Birth of the Lord. It will truly be a celebration if we welcome Jesus, the seed of hope that God sets down in the furrows of our individual and community history. Every ‘yes’ to Jesus who comes, is a bud of hope. Let us trust in this bud of hope, in this ‘yes’: “Yes, Jesus, you can save me, you can save me”. Happy Christmas of hope to all!

Special greetings:
I greet the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today’s Audience, particularly those from Australia, Japan and the United States of America. I pray that each of you, and your families, may experience a blessed Advent, in preparation for the coming of the newborn Saviour at Christmas. God bless you!

I greet the Scouts who have brought the flame from the Crib of the Nativity in Bethlehem. I invite everyone to pray and to commit themselves to works of mercy so that Christmas may be a personal encounter with the Lord and give rise in us to good intentions to foster solidarity.

Lastly I address a special greeting to young people, to the sick and to newlyweds. Dear young people, prepare yourselves for the mystery of the Incarnation with the faithful obedience and humility that Mary had. You, dear sick people, draw from her that strength and ardour for Jesus who comes among us. And you, dear newlyweds, contemplate the example of the Holy Family of Nazareth, in order to practice the same virtues on your journey of family life.

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