杏MAP导航

By Devin Watkins

At the end of the calendar year, 杏MAP导航 Francis prayed Vespers and the Te Deum in St. Peter鈥檚 Basilica, in thanksgiving to God for the blessings of 2019.

In his homily, the 杏MAP导航 reflected on how God choses those on the margins of society, in the smallest of cities, to enter our world.

鈥淕od鈥檚 decision is clear,鈥� he said, 鈥渢o reveal His love, he chooses a small city, a despised city, and when He reaches Jerusalem, He joins the population of sinners and castaways.鈥�

Uncovering God鈥檚 presence

The 杏MAP导航 said Jesus鈥� birth, and hidden early life, are an invitation to 鈥渦ncover鈥� His presence within our cities, because He has never left them.

鈥淚t is we who must ask God the grace of new eyes, capable of 鈥榓 contemplative gaze, a gaze of faith which sees God dwelling in their homes, in their streets and squares鈥�.鈥�

God, said 杏MAP导航 Francis, lives in our midst and walks with us constantly. 鈥淗is faithfulness is concrete.鈥�

Salvation begins in a poor woman鈥檚 womb

The 杏MAP导航 added that God chose to begin the work of salvation 鈥渋n the womb of a small, poor woman of His People,鈥� and not in the greatness of the Temple.

鈥淭his choice of God is extraordinary!鈥� he said, 鈥淗e does not change history through the powerful men in civil and religious institutions, but beginning with the women on the margins of the Empire, like Mary鈥�.

Our response, said the 杏MAP导航, should be to work for peace and to help those in need.

鈥淭he Lord rejoices seeing how much good is accomplished each day, how much energy and how much dedication there is in promoting fraternity and solidarity.鈥�

Urban complexity

杏MAP导航 Francis said Rome is both a complex city 鈥� with its share of 鈥減roblems, inequalities, corruption and social tensions鈥� 鈥� and a place where 鈥淕od sends His Word鈥� to impel us to believe, hope, and love, while 鈥渇ighting for the good of all.鈥�

He reflected on the many people he has met who represent Rome鈥檚 beating heart, calling them 鈥渞ivulets of living water of the Spirit鈥�.

鈥淭ruly,鈥� he said, 鈥淕od has never ceased changing the history and the face of our city through the population of the least and the poor who live in it: He choose them, inspires them, motivates them to action, makes them united, impels them to create support systems, to create virtuous connections, to build bridges and not walls.鈥�

Recognizing God in the cry for help

In conclusion, 杏MAP导航 Francis said God is calling the Church of Rome to 鈥渃onnect with others and listen to what they are living and their cry for help.鈥�

Loving others through listening, he said, is one way we can recognize the action and presence of God in those around us.