There are several communities of consecrated Religious living on the Mount of Olives, and we have had the joy of meeting together during this current Jubilee Year.
The first time we met together was on the 1st of January, in order to pray for peace; especially peace in this country where we all live, and which has thus become our home. A country which has been so horribly torn by war for more than a year, but which is now on the threshold of a hope for a 'cease-fire' that will lead to a peace which lasts.
Then we met together for a second time on this 3rd Sunday of the Year, the Day of the Word of God, as requested by Pope Francis. We were thus once again advancing together on the Way of Peace.
Life is always present; but it also has its special moments of visible resurgence, springing up again here, there and everywhere. At this time of year everything around us is suddenly green and beautiful; we have only to open the window to see it. And our Pope reminds us: 'If only we were able to look at the marvel of the creation with wonder, we would then be able to grasp the degree to which patience is decisive, all-important'. Spes non Confundit, 4). Whatever we are unable to do by ourselves we must simply put back into the hands of the Lord in faith, trusting with great confidence that He Himself will lead everything to its final fulfillment.
During this Jubilee Year in which we are invited to be pilgrims of hope, our preacher on this Sunday of the Word reminded us, let us demonstrate our creativity by daring to speak words of joy and fraternity in the midst of our world where wars, conflicts and economic difficulties lead everyone to despair and discouragement...
' Let us rediscover that patience which does so much good to ourselves and to others... That patience which is also a fruit of the Holy Spirit, which keeps hope alive and consolidates it not only as virtue but also as a whole style of life. Let us take heed, therefore, to ask for the grace of that patience which is both the daughter and the sustainer of hope' (Spes non Confundit, 4).
Thus, despite all the challenges, all the darkness, contradictions and reversals that we will have to pass through, let us advance together in the joy of hope and patience !
Some pictures :
Comentários