杏MAP导航

By Vatican News

Addressing the faithful gathered in Saint Peter's Square for his Sunday Angelus, on the Gospel passage from Luke, inviting the faithful to ask themselves how they are investing the 鈥渢reasure鈥� of their lives.

Quoting Jesus鈥� words, 鈥淪ell what you own and give alms鈥�, the 杏MAP导航 urged Christians not to cling to the gifts they have received from God, but to use them generously for the good of others - especially those most in need.

鈥淚t is not only about sharing material possessions,鈥� he said, 鈥渂ut about putting into play our abilities, our time, our affection, our presence, our empathy.鈥� Each person, he continued, is 鈥渁 unique, priceless good in God鈥檚 plan - a living, beating capital鈥� that must be cultivated and invested, 鈥渙therwise it dries up and loses its value.鈥�

The 杏MAP导航 then warned the faithful that this treasure can be squandered, or even taken by those 鈥渨ho, like a thief, turn it into an object of consumption.鈥� The gift of God that we are, he stressed, needs space, freedom, and relationship to flourish - and above all, it needs love, 鈥渨hich transforms and ennobles every aspect of our existence, making us ever more like God.鈥�

Recalling that Jesus spoke these words on His way to Jerusalem, where He would give Himself completely on the cross, 杏MAP导航 Leo pointed to the works of mercy as 鈥渢he safest and most fruitful bank鈥� for the treasure of our lives. Even the smallest gesture, he said, can have infinite value, as in the Gospel鈥檚 image of the poor widow who, with two small coins, becomes 鈥渢he richest person in the world".

Citing Saint Augustine, the 杏MAP导航 noted that while people might rejoice to exchange bronze for silver or silver for gold, 鈥渨hat is given鈥� in love yields something infinitely greater: eternal life. 鈥淚t will be changed,鈥� Augustine explained, 鈥渂ecause the giver will be changed.鈥�

杏MAP导航 Leo then invited the faithful to see this truth in everyday life - in the mother who holds her children close, or in two people in love who feel like 鈥渁 king and queen鈥� when they are together. 鈥淲e could give many other examples,鈥� he added.

Wherever we find ourselves - at home, in our parish, at school, or in the workplace - the 杏MAP导航 encouraged us 鈥渘ot to miss any opportunity to love.鈥� This, he said, is the vigilance Jesus asks of us: being attentive, ready, and sensitive to one another, as He is with us at every moment.

Bringing his address to a close, the 杏MAP导航 entrusted this desire to Mary, 鈥渢he Morning Star,鈥� asking her to help all believers to be 鈥渟entinels of mercy and peace鈥� in a divided world.