杏MAP导航

By Vatican News

鈥淚n these days we're hearing the news of so many people who are dying鈥�dying alone, without being able to say goodbye to their loved ones鈥�. These were the words with which 杏MAP导航 Francis began his Mass on Sunday morning at the Casa Santa Marta.

鈥淟et's think about them and pray for them. For families as well, who cannot accompany their loved ones on that journey. We pray in a special way for the dying and for their families.鈥�

Jesus passes by

杏MAP导航 Francis began his homily saying the 9^th Chapter of John 鈥渟peaks for itself鈥�. It鈥檚 a 鈥減roclamation of Jesus Christ鈥�, and a 鈥渃atechesis鈥�, he said. The rest of his homily was a reflection on the words of St Augustine which the 杏MAP导航 said 鈥渁lways touch鈥� him: 鈥淚 am afraid when the Lord passes by because I am afraid that He will pass and I might not notice Him鈥�.

鈥淥ne thing is true. In Jesus鈥� presence, the true sentiments of the heart come forth. Our true attitudes come out. This is a grace. Because of this St Augustine was afraid to let Him pass by without realizing it.鈥�

Jesus brings out the best

When Jesus passes by, He heals the blind man and creates a 鈥渟candal鈥�. 鈥淚t brings out both the best and the worst in people鈥�, the 杏MAP导航 continued. This brought out the best in the blind man.

鈥淭he blind man鈥檚 wisdom in how he responds is astonishing. He was used to moving around with his hands. He could sniff danger. He sensed anything that was dangerous and might make him slip. He moved around like a blind person. His arguments are clear and precise. He even uses irony.鈥�

Jesus brings out the worst

This scandal, instead, brought out the worst in the doctors of the law.

鈥淭hey knew all of the laws, every single one of them. But they were fixated there. They didn't understand when God was passing by. They were rigid, attached to their customs. Jesus Himself says so in the Gospel鈥�. And so, in order to preserve these customs, committing an injustice wasn't a problem because their customs said that [what Jesus had done] was not just. That rigidity led them to commit an injustice. Jesus鈥� presence evoked the sentiment of closure鈥�.

Pick up the 9^th chapter of John

杏MAP导航 Francis concluded his homily with the invitation to 鈥減ick up the Gospel today鈥�and read it calmly at home, one or two times, in order to really understand what happens when Jesus passes by.鈥�

鈥淢ay it provoke our sentiments to come out so we might understand well what Saint Augustine tells us, 鈥業'm afraid when the Lord passes, because He might pass by and I may not recognize it and convert myself.' 鈥�