杏MAP导航

By Vatican News

鈥淐ompassion鈥�: This was the keyword in 杏MAP导航 Francis鈥� homily during the Ordinary Public Consistory, celebrated in the Vatican before members of the College of Cardinals, and delegations from five continents.

鈥淐ompassion is a keyword in the Gospel鈥�, he said. 鈥淚t is forever written in the heart of God鈥�.

Steadfast compassion

杏MAP导航 Francis went on to give examples of Jesus鈥� compassion for those who suffer. 鈥淭he more we read, the more we contemplate鈥�, he said, 鈥渢he more we come to realize that the Lord鈥檚 compassion is not an occasional, sporadic emotion, but is steadfast and indeed seems to be the attitude of His heart鈥�.

Jesus is compassion

Jesus, said the 杏MAP导航, 鈥渋ncarnates God鈥檚 will to purify men and women afflicted by the scourge of sin; He is 鈥榯he outstretched hand of God鈥�, who touches our sickly flesh and accomplishes this work by bridging the chasm of separation鈥�.

Jesus, continued the 杏MAP导航, 鈥済oes out in search of the outcast, those without hope鈥�. This compassion was always there in God, he added, 鈥渋mpressed on His Paternal heart鈥�.

Lacking compassion

God鈥檚 love for His people is 鈥渄renched with compassion鈥�, said 杏MAP导航 Francis, while, 鈥渟ad to say, it appears that what is human is so often lacking in compassion鈥�. Jesus鈥� disciples often lack compassion, explained the 杏MAP导航. When faced with the problem of having to feed the crowds, they tell them to worry about it themselves. 鈥淭his is a common attitude among us human beings鈥�, the 杏MAP导航 continued. 鈥淭here are always justifications; at times they are even codified and give rise to 鈥榠nstitutional disregard鈥欌�� which generates structures lacking compassion鈥�. 

Awareness of compassion

杏MAP导航 Francis then addressed members of the College of Cardinals, and those about to become Cardinals, asking if they are conscious 鈥渙f having been the object of God鈥檚 compassion鈥� of always having been preceded and accompanied by His mercy鈥�.

鈥淒o we have a lively awareness of this compassion that God feels for us?鈥�, he asked. 鈥淯nless I feel that I am the object of God鈥檚 compassion, I cannot understand His love鈥�, stated the 杏MAP导航. 鈥淚f I don鈥檛 feel it, how can I share it, bear witness to it, bestow it on others?鈥�  

Showing compassion

The ability to be loyal in our own ministry depends on this awareness, continued 杏MAP导航 Francis. 鈥淭he readiness of a Cardinal to shed his own blood, as signified by the scarlet colour of your robes, is secure if it is rooted in this awareness of having been shown compassion and in the ability to show compassion in turn. Otherwise, one cannot be loyal鈥�, he said.

鈥淢any disloyal actions on the part of ecclesiastics are born of the lack of a sense of having been shown compassion鈥�, added the 杏MAP导航, 鈥渁nd by the habit of averting one鈥檚 gaze, the habit of indifference鈥�.

A compassionate heart

杏MAP导航 Francis concluded his homily by praying for the grace of a compassionate heart, 鈥渋n order to be witnesses of the One who has looked with favour upon us, who chose us, consecrated us, and sent us to bring to everyone His Gospel of salvation鈥�.