Cardinal Parolin: Pray for 杏MAP导航鈥檚 health and seek peace in our relationships
By Devin Watkins
Ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See gathered in the Pauline Chapel of the Apostolic Palace on Friday morning to attend Mass, which they requested in order to pray for 杏MAP导航 Francis.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, celebrated the Mass, and thanked those who proposed the idea of praying together as a group.
鈥淲e gather in prayer this morning for the intention of the Holy Father鈥檚 health, that he may recover and return soon among us,鈥� said the Cardinal in his homily.
He also recalled the 12th anniversary of 杏MAP导航 Francis鈥� election to the papacy, which occurred on Thursday as he recovers from bilateral pneumonia at Rome鈥檚 Gemelli hospital.
Cardinal Parolin then reflected on the essence and purpose of prayer, saying it is more about opening our hearts to God than about informing him of our desires, which He already knows.
Rather, he said, prayer is the key that opens the Lord鈥檚 heart, since it opens our own heart to listening to His word.
Turning to the day鈥檚 Gospel, which is about the righteousness required to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, Cardinal Parolin noted that Jesus emphasizes the importance of loving our neighbors, even if we disagree.
Jesus told His disciples that even those who are angry with someone else will be subject to judgement.
鈥淲ars do not start [on the battlefield],鈥� said the Cardinal. 鈥淭hey start here, in the human heart, born from feelings of hatred and hostility that we harbor toward others.鈥�
Though diplomacy seeks to avoid the outbreak of war, he added, peace requires us to disarm our language and seek God鈥檚 will in our relationships with others.
Cardinal Parolin reminded the diplomats of Jesus鈥� invitation to seek reconciliation before we engage in acts of worship.
鈥淐harity, therefore, has priority over all other obligations, including those of worship,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hat is why the duty of reconciliation comes before making an offering at the altar.鈥�
He recalled 杏MAP导航 Francis鈥� reminder for Christians to always use three words in our relationships: 鈥淧lease, Sorry, and Thank you.鈥�
These expressions, said the Cardinal, indicate a radical movement from confrontation to benevolence and goodwill.
In conclusion, the Cardinal Secretary of State noted that God never asks us to carry out an impossible task but rather always gives us the grace to fulfill His Word.
鈥淧urified by the Lord鈥檚 word,鈥� said Cardinal Parolin, 鈥渙ur prayer for the Holy Father鈥檚 health gains new strength, rising with confidence to the Giver of all good.鈥�
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