杏MAP导航 at Holy Synod: Differences are not irreconcilable
Vatican News staff reporter
on Friday morning, 杏MAP导航 Francis told them that being in Cyprus reminded him of the 鈥渃ommon apostolic origin鈥� they share. 鈥淧aul traversed Cyprus and went on to Rome,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e are thus heirs of the same apostolic zeal, and a single path joins us, that of the Gospel. I like to see us advancing on that same path, seeking ever greater fraternity and full unity.鈥�
Consolation and exhortation
The 杏MAP导航鈥檚 attention turned to the figure of St Barnabas, noting that his name means both 鈥渟on of consolation鈥� and 鈥渟on of exhortation.鈥�
鈥淚t is fitting,鈥� 杏MAP导航 Francis said, that 鈥渉e combines both these characteristics, which are indispensable for the proclamation of the Gospel.鈥�
鈥淚f we are to be sons of consolation,鈥� remarked the 杏MAP导航, 鈥渆ven before we say a word, we need to listen, to let ourselves be questioned, to discover others, to share. Because the Gospel is not handed on by communication, but by communion.鈥�
The 杏MAP导航 added that it is this that Catholics want to experience in the next few years, through the Synod of Bishops.
Prayers and closeness
During his address, 杏MAP导航 Francis assured those present of his prayers and closeness, and that of the Catholic Church, in the most troubling problems that beset them and 鈥渋n the best and boldest hopes that spur you on.鈥�
鈥淵our sorrows and your joys are also ours; we sense them as our own. At the same time, we feel great need of your prayers.鈥� He also spoke of how moved he was by his Beatitude Chrysostomos II鈥檚 words on the Mother Church during their dialogue.
Overcoming past divisions
Another aspect the 杏MAP导航 dwelt on in the life of St Barnabas was his bold and selfless gestures.
鈥淟et us not become paralyzed by fear of openness or bold gestures, or give in to talk of 鈥榠rreconcilable differences鈥� that in fact have nothing to do with the Gospel,鈥� said the 杏MAP导航.
杏MAP导航 Francis noted that by laying all he had at the feet of the apostles, St Barnabas entered into their hearts. 鈥淗e invites us not to grow resigned to our past divisions and to cultivate together the field of the kingdom with patience, perseverance, and concrete gestures.鈥�
One good example of this, highlighted by the 杏MAP导航, is Panaghia Chryssopolitissa, 鈥淥ur Lady of the Golden City,鈥� today a place of worship for the various Christian confessions, much loved by the people and often chosen for celebrations of marriage. 鈥淚t is thus a sign of communion in faith and life under the gaze of the Mother of God who gathers her children together,鈥� he said.
Overcoming falsehoods
Another aspect 杏MAP导航 Francis drew from in the life of St Barnabas was the trials he suffered, especially around falsehoods and malicious behaviour.
鈥淭oday, too, there is no lack of falsehood and deception that the past can set before us to hinder our journey,鈥� he said. 鈥淟et us ask the Lord to grant us the wisdom and courage to follow His ways, not our own.鈥�
Harbours and bridges
In conclusion, the 杏MAP导航 noted that there are many Saints, like St Barnabas, who 鈥渦rges us to sail together towards that harbour to which we all aspire. From on high, they encourage us to make of Cyprus, already a bridge between East and West, a bridge between heaven and earth.鈥�
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