杏MAP导航 to volunteers and homeless: 鈥榃e are all givers and receivers鈥�
By Kielce Gussie
The location for the Viennese 鈥�Begegnung im Zentrum鈥� group's meetings changed temporarily from the Archbishop鈥檚 Palace in Austria鈥檚 capital city to the Vatican for an audience with 杏MAP导航 Francis.
United as one
Speaking to the volunteers on Friday, the 杏MAP导航 recognized that the group brings together people 鈥渇rom very different countries and belong to different religious denominations鈥� with their own life experiences. Yet, he said, one thing unites everyone: 鈥渨e are brothers and sisters, children of the one Father.鈥�
杏MAP导航 Francis explained this reality is solidified when the community 鈥渉elps one another鈥� and 鈥渟hares what each one can offer.鈥�
He rejected the idea that some people give and others simply receive. Rather, he said, all people both give and receive. The 杏MAP导航 challenged the volunteers who work with the homeless to enrich each other, but not simply through material gifts.
鈥淎 simple smile, a gesture of friendship, a fraternal look, sincere listening, a free service,鈥� he said, can all be ways of sharing with one another.
Love beyond all limits
Recalling the greatest commandment, 杏MAP导航 Francis encouraged the group to follow Jesus鈥� call in the Gospel: to love one another as He has loved us.
鈥淭he Lord loves us beyond all limits and difficulties,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 explained, 鈥淗e never forgets us.鈥� 杏MAP导航 Francis closed the audience by encouraging the group to make their lives a gift for others.
The 鈥�Begegnung im Zentrum鈥� group is an association of volunteers working with homeless people in Vienna, Austria.
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