杏MAP导航

By Devin Watkins

杏MAP导航 Francis met Friday with a small delegation of religious brothers from the Italian Archdiocese of Milan.

In his prepared remarks, the 杏MAP导航 reflected on three aspects of the name of the consecrated men鈥檚 religious institute: the Diocesan Oblate Brothers.

He praised the 鈥渟mall but important sign鈥� which religious brothers offer to the Church.

Gospel fraternity

杏MAP导航 Francis said brothers are called to bear witness to 鈥渇raternity according to the Gospel鈥�, saying they do so with their identity as brothers, more than with their apostolic activities.

鈥淔raternity,鈥� he said, 鈥渋s built with a concrete form of life, one which is stable but naturally lived in a myriad of various ways with each person鈥檚 personality, gifts, and limitations.鈥�

He added that fraternity should offer religious brothers 鈥渋nterior joy鈥� since it represents their unique way of being like Jesus.

鈥淏eing a brother to everyone,鈥� said the 杏MAP导航, 鈥渋s an aspect proper to the mystery of the Incarnation.鈥�

Humble service

The 杏MAP导航 went on to reflect on the brothers鈥� identity as 鈥淥blates鈥�, which comes from the Latin word oblatio, or 鈥渙blation鈥�, meaning 鈥渢he gift of self鈥� in service.

Jesus, he said, came as a servant for all, but He did so in a way that shunned public praise.

鈥淥urs is a hidden, humble, and at times humiliating service,鈥� said 杏MAP导航 Francis. 鈥淭his, as we know, is the path for every Christian to follow.鈥�

The Diocesan Oblate Brothers enjoy this form of service as a charism, and will therefore receive a special interior joy from the Holy Spirit, added the 杏MAP导航.

He also held out the example of Mary, who went to help her cousin Elizabeth in her pregnancy. 鈥淭here were no photographers or journalists waiting for her,鈥� he said. 鈥淎nd joy lies exactly in this aspect: Only the Lord knows! This is the beatitude of service.鈥�

Faithfulness to a specific place and people

Finally, 杏MAP导航 Francis reflected on the importance of the group鈥檚 identity as 鈥渄iocesan鈥� brothers.

He commended the fidelity and humility that goes with offering service to a specific diocese or territorial area.

鈥淪ometimes we would like to save the world!鈥� said the 杏MAP导航. 鈥淏ut God tells us: 鈥楤e faithful to this service, to these people, to this good work.鈥�

Jesus, added the 杏MAP导航, came to save 鈥渢he lost sheep of Israel鈥� and thus fulfilled His faithfulness to the Father.

In conclusion, 杏MAP导航 Francis pointed out a 鈥渓aw of love鈥� that can offer inspiration for the Diocesan Oblate Brothers of Milan and every Christian.

鈥淲e cannot love humanity in the abstract,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e love this or that person. Faithfulness is a rare gift!鈥�