杏MAP导航

By Vatican News

The Mass was 杏MAP导航 Francis鈥� last public event in Mozambique. It was also the culmination of two days of encounters, emotions, and excitement. The stadium erupted in sound and song when the 杏MAP导航 entered, while music and movement enlivened the whole celebration.

Love your enemies

The 杏MAP导航 took the inspiration for his homily from the Gospel of Saint Luke where, after choosing His disciples and proclaiming the Beatitudes, Jesus adds: 鈥淏ut I say to you that listen, love your enemies鈥�.  These words are also addressed to us today, said the 杏MAP导航.

鈥淛esus is no idealist鈥�, continued 杏MAP导航 Francis. 鈥淗e is talking about specific enemies鈥� those who hate, exclude, revile and defame us鈥�.

The 杏MAP导航 was referencing the civil war that raged in Mozambique between 1977 and 1992. 鈥淢any of you can still tell your own stories of violence, hatred and conflict鈥�, he said, acknowledging that some still fear 鈥減ast wounds will reopen and reverse the progress already made towards peace鈥�.

Reconciliation and forgiveness

鈥淚t is not easy to speak of reconciliation while wounds are still open from the years of conflict鈥�, continued 杏MAP导航 Francis, 鈥渙r to take a step towards forgiveness, which is not the same as ignoring pain or giving up our memories or ideals.鈥� Nonetheless, he said, 鈥淛esus Christ is calling us to love and to do good鈥� He commands us to show an active, impartial and extraordinary benevolence towards those who have hurt us鈥�, even asking us to bless and pray for them.

The 杏MAP导航 admitted this is 鈥渁 high standard the Master sets before us鈥�, but insisted, 鈥渨e cannot look to the future, or build a nation, an equitable society, on the basis of violence鈥�.

Love one another

Jesus tells us to 鈥渓ove one another鈥�, said the 杏MAP导航, in a world that 鈥渄isregards and continues to ignore the virtue of mercy, of compassion鈥�. Overcoming times of division and violence, he added, 鈥渃alls for daily commitment on the part of everyone to an attentive and active concern that makes us treat others with the same mercy and goodness with which we ourselves want to be treated鈥�. 

Peace and mercy

 鈥淲e want a future of peace鈥�, said 杏MAP导航 Francis, borrowing a sports image from Saint Paul when he says: 鈥淢ay the peace of Christ act as the umpire in your hearts鈥�. Whenever we feel torn between two contrary feelings 鈥渨e should play Christ鈥檚 game鈥�, said the 杏MAP导航, 鈥渁nd let His decision keep us on the path of love and mercy, in the option for the most poor and the protection of nature. The path of peace鈥�. 

Hold onto hope

At the conclusion of the Mass, 杏MAP导航 Francis expressed his gratitude and appreciation for the sacrifices people had made to participate in the encounters in Maputo. Many people, in fact, spent days on the road travelling from the far north of the country.

鈥淧lease, hold onto hope鈥�, the 杏MAP导航 told the people of Mozambique, 鈥渄o not let yourselves be robbed of it鈥�. There is no better way to do so, he concluded, 鈥渢han to remain united鈥� so that all the reasons sustaining it will constantly consolidate for a future of reconciliation and peace in Mozambique鈥�.