杏MAP导航 to Belgian clergy: Joy and mercy must fill your ministry
By Devin Watkins
On the third day of his Apostolic Journey to Belgium, 杏MAP导航 Francis met Saturday with the country鈥檚 bishops, priests, men and women religious, and pastoral workers at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Koelkelberg.
In his address, the 杏MAP导航 focused on the Church鈥檚 mission of proclaiming the Gospel to every sector of society.
He spoke first about the path of evangelization, saying the West is experiencing a crisis of faith.
Rather than being caught on the back foot, said the 杏MAP导航, the Church must welcome this crisis as an opportunity to rouse ourselves and rediscover 鈥渢he ways of the Spirit.鈥�
It 鈥渄emonstrates that we have moved from a Christianity located within a welcoming social framework to a 鈥榤inority鈥� Christianity, or better, a Christianity of witness,鈥� he said.
杏MAP导航 Francis called on Belgian priests to love Jesus Christ and walk closely with God鈥檚 holy people, seeking harmony in diversity.
He went on to point to the Gospel attitude of joy, which goes beyond fleeting amusement and sinks deep into the soul to sustain our Christians lives, even in moments of darkness or pain.
鈥淛oy of heart is kindled by the Gospel,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t is knowing that we are not alone on our journey and that even in situations of poverty, sin, and affliction, God is near.鈥�
At times when fidelity seems difficult, said the 杏MAP导航, the Church鈥檚 pastoral ministers must remember where our Christian path leads and draw strength from Christ.
The 杏MAP导航 went on to highlight the importance of mercy, since God is always merciful.
God the Father, he said, 鈥渘ever withdraws His love from us,鈥� even when we have committed a serious sin.
Seen in worldly terms, God鈥檚 expansive mercy seems 鈥渦njust,鈥� but he said, God鈥檚 justice goes beyond and calls everyone to 鈥渞ight their wrongs.鈥�
杏MAP导航 Francis noted that the clerical sexual abuse crisis has caused 鈥渁trocious suffering and deep wounds and undermined even the path of faith.鈥�
鈥淭here is a need for a great deal of mercy to keep us from hardening our hearts before the suffering of victims,鈥� he said, 鈥渟o that we can help them feel our closeness and offer all the help we can.鈥�
The 杏MAP导航 concluded by thanking the clergy and religious of Belgium for always offering God鈥檚 mercy and allowing the light of faith to shine through in the darkest of times.
鈥淲ithout the Spirit, nothing Christian can take place.鈥�
Thank you for reading our article. You can keep up-to-date by subscribing to our daily newsletter. Just click here
