杏MAP导航

By Sr Bernadette Mary Reis, fsp

In his 杏MAP导航 Francis said that the readings from the Chrism Mass made him think of the passage from Deuteronomy: 鈥淔or what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the Lord our God is to us, whenever we call on him?鈥� (4:7)

God is close
 

The 杏MAP导航 observes that the Servant presented in Isaiah (61: 1-3, 6, 8-9), and King David presented in Psalm 88 are illustrations of how God draws near. Revelation 1:5-8 tells us that 鈥渢he Lord always comes to us.鈥� And the Gospel (Luke 4:16-21) shows us that, although Jesus could have chosen to be a scribe, 鈥渉e wanted to be an 鈥榚vangelizer,鈥� a street preacher,鈥� 杏MAP导航 Francis says. 鈥淭his is God鈥檚 great choice: the Lord chose to be close to his people.鈥�

Closeness is key for evangelization
 

Closeness is 鈥渁n attitude that engages the whole person, our way of relating, our way of being attentive both to ourselves and others,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 continues. People use the term 鈥渉e is close to us鈥� when describing a priest who is present to them and knows how to speak to everyone.

鈥淐loseness is crucial for an evangelizer because it is a key attitude in the Gospel,鈥� 杏MAP导航 Francis explains. It is the key to mercy as well as the key to truth because it shortens distances鈥攁s demonstrated in the parable of the Good Samaritan. Can distances 鈥渂e shortened where truth is concerned?鈥� the 杏MAP导航 asks. Yes, he answers, because truth is not only objective, but is also fidelity. 鈥淚t makes you name people with their real name, as the Lord names them, before categorizing them or defining 鈥榯heir situation.鈥� 鈥� Making truth an idol 鈥渄istances ordinary people from the healing closeness of the word and the sacraments of Jesus.鈥�

Mary, 鈥淥ur Lady of Closeness鈥�
 

As a mother, Mary is near to us. She 鈥渟ets out 鈥榳ith haste,鈥� to serve鈥�, and she was near enough to others鈥� situations that she knew what their needs were. 鈥淎t the right moment in Cana, the tone with which she says to the servant, 鈥楧o whatever he tells you,鈥� will make those words the maternal model of all ecclesial language,鈥� 杏MAP导航 Francis says.

3 areas of priestly closeness
 

杏MAP导航 Francis proposes three areas where the 鈥渟ame motherly tone鈥� of Mary needs to be heard by those to whom priests minister.

* Closeness in spiritual conversation: like Jesus鈥� conversation with the Samaritan woman in which Jesus first teaches, then 鈥済ently helps her to acknowledge her sin,鈥� and then 鈥渋nfects her with his missionary spirit.鈥�

* Closeness in Confession: like Jesus鈥� interaction with the woman caught in adultery where Jesus says, 鈥淕o and sin no more鈥� only after he has knelt down with the woman, risen to his feet and said, 鈥淣either do I condemn you.鈥� 杏MAP导航 Francis says that the words 鈥淕o and sin no more鈥� 鈥渘eed to be spoken with the tone of truth as fidelity, to enable the sinner to look ahead and not behind.鈥�

* Closeness in preaching: like Peter鈥檚 preaching on the day of Pentecost which 鈥渃ut his listeners to the heart,鈥� leading them to ask, 鈥淲hat shall we do?鈥� (Acts 2:37). This is 鈥渁 question (鈥�) we must always raise and answer in a Marian and ecclesial tone,鈥� 杏MAP导航 Francis continues.

Being close to the people brings the priest close to God
 

In conclusion, 杏MAP导航 Francis urges priests to 鈥渄raw nearer to your people,鈥� and to 鈥渁pproach the Lord in his Word鈥� when they feel far away from God and from people. He encourages them to walk with their people as a shepherd鈥攕ometimes in front, sometimes in their midst, sometimes behind. More than just appreciating priests like this, people 鈥渇eel that there is something special about him: something they only feel in the presence of Jesus.鈥�