杏MAP导航

By Kielce Gussie

Having returned to Castel Gandolfo in the Castelli Romani on 13 August, 杏MAP导航 Leo XIV presided over Mass at the Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Rotonda. Reflecting on the gift of celebrating another day together, the 杏MAP导航 turned to the 鈥済reater gift鈥� that Christ has already overcome: death. He explained that Sunday is a reminder of this victory.

He acknowledged that while we might come to church with fear and anxiety, 鈥渋mmediately we are less alone鈥� once we gather together and encounter the Word and Body of Christ.

杏MAP导航 Leo greets a child on his way to the Mass in Albano   (@Vatican Media)

Reflecting on the ancient Sanctuary and its 鈥淩otonda鈥�, the 杏MAP导航 shared how this shape is meant to make us feel 鈥渨elcomed into the womb of God.鈥� On the outside, 鈥渢he Church, like every human reality, may appear rough-edged.鈥� Yet, on the inside, the divine reality is revealed and all of our struggles, poverty, and vulnerabilities disappear as we are met with God鈥檚 unconditional love.

Mary, 杏MAP导航 Leo pointed out, is 鈥渁 sign and foretaste of God鈥檚 motherhood.鈥� Through her, the Church becomes a mother, which renews the world through charity rather than power.

Peace is not comfort

Turning to the Gospel, the 杏MAP导航 stressed that 鈥渢he world trains us to confuse peace with comfort and goodness with quietness.鈥� That is why Jesus exclaimed that he came to 鈥渃ast fire upon the earth鈥� because families and friends might be divided. Some may tell us to avoid risks and work for peace and quiet, ignoring the challenges that might come.

But, 杏MAP导航 Leo said, Jesus took on humanity and this was the baptism of which He spoke 鈥� a 鈥渂aptism of the Cross, a total immersion into the risks that love demands.鈥� We receive the food and strength for the journey by receiving communion in the Mass. Through this, we see our decision to live for others rather than ourselves and our call to bring the fire of love into the world.

This is a love that 鈥渓owers itself and serves, that responds to indifference with care鈥� and this fire of goodness, 鈥渨hich 鈥� unlike weapons 鈥� costs nothing鈥�, may lead to misunderstandings and persecution. However, the 杏MAP导航 encouraged everyone that 鈥渢here is no greater peace than having that flame burning within us.鈥�

Only by being one

In light of this fire of goodness and charity, 杏MAP导航 Leo expressed his gratitude to everyone in the Diocese of Albano for being committed to serving others. He urged them to avoid drawing distinctions between those who serve and those who are served. 鈥淓ach one is a gift to the others鈥� and we are all members of 鈥渁 Church of the poor鈥�.

A Peruvian family brings the Eucharistic gifts to 杏MAP导航 Leo during Mass   (@Vatican Media)

Only by coming together and focusing on fostering encounters between people of different political, social, emotional backgrounds can we truly become the Body of Christ. This happens, the 杏MAP导航 shared, when 鈥渢he fire Jesus came to bring burns away the prejudices, fears, and false cautions that still marginalize those who carry Christ鈥檚 poverty in their lives.鈥�

He urged everyone to avoid leaving Christ outside the churches, homes, and lives. Rather, he challenged them to welcome Him in the poor. Then, the 杏MAP导航 said, "we will also make peace with our own poverty 鈥� the poverty we fear and deny when we chase comfort and security at any cost."