杏MAP导航

By Lydia O鈥橩ane

Holy Mass for the 2nd Sunday of the Word of God was celebrated by Archbishop Rino Fisichella, President of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelisation, standing in for 杏MAP导航 Francis who is suffering from a painful attack of sciatica.

In his homily, which was read by Archbishop Fisichella, 杏MAP导航 Francis focused his attention on what Jesus says and to whom He says it, as He proclaims the Kingdom of God.

What Jesus says

The 杏MAP导航 noted how Jesus begins his preaching with the words: "This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand."

He went on to say that the first message to be taken from this is that 鈥淕od is near and His kingdom has come down to earth.鈥�

 鈥淭he time of His distance ended when, in Jesus, He became man," said the 杏MAP导航.

God is near

He stressed that, 鈥淏efore all else, we must believe and proclaim that God has drawn near to us, that we have been forgiven and shown mercy.鈥�  

God's word, said 杏MAP导航 Francis, continues to tell us "Do not be afraid, I am with you.  I am at your side and I will always be there."

鈥淚n speaking to us,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 said, the Lord 鈥渞eminds us that he has taken us to heart, that we are precious in His eyes, and that He holds us in the palm of His hand.鈥�  

鈥淕od鈥檚 word is one of consolation but also a call to conversion,鈥� said 杏MAP导航 Francis. 鈥溾�楻epent鈥�, says Jesus, immediately after proclaiming God鈥檚 closeness.鈥�

Those who hear God鈥檚 word, 杏MAP导航 Francis highlighted, 鈥渁re constantly reminded that life is not about shielding ourselves from others, but about encountering them in the name of God who is near.鈥�

No one is far from God鈥檚 heart  

Turning his attention to whom Jesus speaks, the 杏MAP导航 noted that His first words are to Galilean fishermen, who he described as 鈥渟imple folk.鈥�

杏MAP导航 Francis pointed out that Jesus began with people 鈥渘ot from the centre but from the periphery, and He did so in order to tell us too that no one is far from God鈥檚 heart.鈥�

Noting the 鈥減articular power鈥� the word of God has, the 杏MAP导航 emphasized how it can 鈥渢ouch each person directly.鈥�  

鈥淭he disciples would never forget the words they heard that day on the shore of the lake, by their boats, in the company of their family members and fellow workers: words that marked their lives forever.鈥�  Jesus said to them: 'Follow me, I will make you become fishers of men.'鈥�

鈥淗e did not appeal to them using lofty words and ideas,鈥� said 杏MAP导航 Francis, but spoke to their lives and told them they were to be 鈥渇ishers of men.鈥� 

The 杏MAP导航 explained that Jesus spoke to them 鈥渋n terms of their own livelihood.鈥�

And he went on to say that Jesus does the same with us; looking for us where we are and walking by our side.

Make room for God鈥檚 Word

In conclusion, 杏MAP导航 Francis urged everyone 鈥渘ot ignore God鈥檚 word. It is a love letter, written to us by the One who knows us best."

He also urged the faithful to carry it with them always and give it 鈥渁 worthy place in our homes.鈥�

To be able to focus on God鈥檚 word, the 杏MAP导航 prayed that we would also be given the strength 鈥渢o turn off the television and open the Bible, to turn off our cell phone and open the Gospel.鈥�