杏MAP导航

By Vatican News

The encounter began with a series of testimonies that expressed, what the 杏MAP导航 himself described as: 鈥渢he difficult times and serious challenges that you faced, conscious of your own limitations and weaknesses, yet marvelling at God鈥檚 mercy鈥�.

Setting hearts on fire

杏MAP导航 Francis began by reminding his listeners that 鈥渨hether we like it or not, we are called to face reality as it is鈥�. Times change, he said, 鈥渁nd we need to realize that often we do not know how to find our place in new scenarios鈥�. Instead of proclaiming the Good News, the 杏MAP导航 continued, 鈥渨e announce a dreary message that attracts no one and sets no one鈥檚 heart on fire鈥�.

Finding identity in change

At the start of the event, the 杏MAP导航 was asked for advice on how to deal with the crisis of priestly identity. He responded by showing how Saint Luke 鈥渄raws a parallel between events in the lives of Saint John the Baptist and Jesus Christ鈥�. The announcement of John鈥檚 birth happens in the city of Jerusalem, inside the Holy of Holies in the Temple. Jesus鈥� birth is announced in a humble house, in a remote little town called Nazareth. Everything has changed, said 杏MAP导航 Francis, 鈥渁nd, in this change, we find our deepest identity鈥�.

Coping with an identity crisis

鈥淚n a crisis of priestly identity鈥�, he continued, 鈥渟ometimes we need to step away from important and solemn places, and return to the places from which we were called, where it was clear that the initiative and the power was from God鈥�.

Returning to Nazareth, suggested 杏MAP导航 Francis, 鈥渃an be the way of facing a crisis of identity and being renewed as shepherds, disciples, and missionaries鈥�. The image of Mary, 鈥渢hat simple young woman in her home, as opposed to all the activities of the Temple and the city of Jerusalem, can be a mirror in which we see the complications and concerns that dim and dissipate the generosity of our 鈥榶es鈥欌��, he said.

Renewing our vocation

Admitting that the responsibilities and emotions associated with the priesthood 鈥渃an exhaust the heart of a pastor鈥�, 杏MAP导航 Francis went on to say that 鈥渞enewing our vocation often entails discerning if our weariness and worries are the result of a certain spiritual worldliness鈥�. Renewing our call, he said, 鈥渉as to do with choosing to say 鈥榶es鈥�, and to let our weariness come from things that bear fruit in God鈥檚 eyes鈥�.

Between Nazareth and Jerusalem

杏MAP导航 Francis continued his 鈥渟tudy of contrasts鈥� by highlighting the encounter between the two women, Elizabeth and Mary. 鈥淭he distance between Nazareth and Jerusalem is shortened and disappears with that 鈥榶es鈥� spoken by Mary鈥�, he said.

Referring to Mozambique鈥檚 17-year long conflict, the 杏MAP导航 suggested that many of those present would remember 鈥渉ow division and conflict ended in war鈥� and he urged them to be 鈥渁lways ready to 鈥榲isit鈥� even short distances鈥�.

The challenges of inculturation

鈥淚nculturation鈥�, said the 杏MAP导航, 鈥渨ill always be a challenge, shuttling back and forth, as it were, between those two women who were both changed by encounter, dialogue and service鈥�. The ultimate aim, added the 杏MAP导航, 鈥渟hould be that the Gospel, as preached in categories proper to each culture, will create a new synthesis with that particular culture鈥�.

This takes both creativity and courage, he said. But the alternative is of becoming 鈥渕ere onlookers as the Church gradually stagnates鈥�.

A Church of the Visitation

鈥淛ust as Mary journeyed to the house of Elizabeth鈥�, said 杏MAP导航 Francis, 鈥渨e too, as a Church, have to find the road to take in the face of new problems, taking care not to remain paralyzed by the mindset of opposition, division and condemnation鈥�.

The Church in Mozambique needs to be a 鈥淐hurch of the Visitation鈥�, concluded the 杏MAP导航, 鈥渁 door to solution, a space where respect, interchange and dialogue are possible鈥�.