LA VIE AU CENTRE - LIFE AT THE CENTRE - LA VIDA EN EL CENTRO -LA VITA AL CENTRO

 NATALE. METTERE LA VITA AL CENTRO

 

- it-en-fr-es

 

-     -     José Tolentino Mendonça*

 Come sinonimi di “produrre”, certi dizionari propongono i verbi “generare” e “creare”. Ma è uno sbaglio. Non si dice “produrre un figlio”, ma “generare”, perché un figlio è frutto di amore. Non si produce un abbraccio, né la profusione di luce di un sorriso, né un silenzio, né la scrittura senza lettere di un pianto, e neppure un’amicizia, o la cura solidale, nemmeno quell’architettura intima di relazioni che costituisce il cuore di una casa; non si produce la ricerca che non ha fine o lo stupore su cui la vita costantemente ci apre, né il desiderio o l’incontro che lo travalica, neanche il riposo di certi momenti o la danza che esso sogna per noi. Né si produce un invito alla festa, o il giungere a una festa. Non si produce quello che il presepio significa. Il Vangelo di Giovanni, anzi, lo spiega così: «Dio ha tanto amato il mondo da dare il suo Figlio unigenito» (Gv 3,16).

 Il presepio è una rappresentazione radicale della vita, in controtendenza con la maggior parte del nostro presente, e non solo perché la vita qui viene messa al centro anziché essere declassificata e spedita a una periferia, ma anche perché viene scritta a caratteri maiuscoli. Il presepio sconfessa il conformismo che ci induce a occuparci dell’amputazione della nostra stessa esistenza e di quella dei nostri simili.

Ci obbliga a volere di più di questo. Il presepio rivela l’essere umano a sé stesso e gli fa scoprire la sua vocazione sublime.

 *Cardinale Prefetto Dicastero Cultura ed Educazione

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CHRISTMAS 

PUTTING LIFE AT THE CENTRE

 -         José Tolentino Mendonça *

 As synonyms of "produce", certain dictionaries propose the verbs "generate" and "create". But it's a mistake. We don't say "produce a child", but "generate", because a child is the fruit of love. A hug is not produced, nor the profusion of light of a smile, nor a silence, nor the letterless writing of a cry, nor a friendship, or solidarity care, not even that intimate architecture of relationships that constitutes the heart of a house; the search that has no end or the wonder that life constantly opens up to us is not produced, nor the desire or the encounter that surpasses it, not even the rest of certain moments or the dance that it dreams for us. Nor does it produce an invitation to the party, or the arrival of a party. What the nativity scene means is not produced. Indeed, the Gospel of John explains it this way: "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son" (Jn 3:16).

 The nativity scene is a radical representation of life, in contrast with most of our present, and not only because life here is placed at the center rather than being declassified and sent to the periphery, but also because it is written in capital letters. The nativity scene repudiates the conformism that leads us to worry about the amputation of our own existence and that of our peers.

 It forces us to want more than this. The nativity scene reveals the human being to himself and makes him discover his sublime vocation.

 * Cardinal Prefect of the Dicastery of Culture and Education

www.avvenire.it

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NOËL. METTRE LA VIE AU CENTRE

 

-         José Tolentino Mendonça *

 Comme synonymes de « produire », certains dictionnaires proposent les verbes « générer » et « créer ». Mais c'est une erreur. On ne dit pas « produire un enfant », mais « générer », car un enfant est le fruit de l'amour. Il ne se produit pas un câlin, ni la profusion de lumière d'un sourire, ni un silence, ni l'écriture sans lettre d'un cri, ni une amitié, ni un soin solidaire, ni même cette architecture intime de relations qui constitue le cœur d'une maison ; la recherche qui n'a pas de fin ou l'émerveillement que la vie nous ouvre constamment ne se produit pas, ni le désir ou la rencontre qui la dépasse, pas même le reste de certains moments ou la danse qu'elle rêve pour nous. Il ne produit pas non plus une invitation à la fête, ni l'arrivée d'une fête. Ce que signifie la crèche n’est pas produit. En effet, l'Évangile de Jean l'explique ainsi : « Dieu a tant aimé le monde qu'il a donné son Fils unique » (Jn 3, 16).

 La crèche est une représentation radicale de la vie, en contraste avec la plupart de notre présent, non seulement parce que la vie ici est placée au centre plutôt que d'être déclassifiée et envoyée à la périphérie, mais aussi parce qu'elle est écrite en majuscules. La crèche répudie le conformisme qui nous amène à nous inquiéter de l’amputation de notre propre existence et de celle de nos pairs.

 Cela nous oblige à vouloir plus que cela. La crèche révèle l'être humain à lui-même et lui fait découvrir sa sublime vocation.

 * Cardinal Préfet du Dicastère de la Culture et de l'Éducation

www.avvenire.it

 

NAVIDAD

 PONIENDO LA VIDA EN EL CENTRO

 

-         José Tolentino Mendonça *

 Como sinónimos de "producir", ciertos diccionarios proponen los verbos "generar" y "crear". Pero es un error. No decimos "producir un hijo", sino "generar", porque un hijo es fruto del amor. No se produce un abrazo, ni la profusión de luz de una sonrisa, ni un silencio, ni la escritura sin letras de un llanto, ni una amistad, ni un cariño solidario, ni siquiera esa arquitectura íntima de relaciones que constituye el corazón de una casa; No se produce la búsqueda que no tiene fin ni el asombro que constantemente nos abre la vida, ni el deseo o el encuentro que la supera, ni siquiera el resto de determinados momentos o el baile que sueña para nosotros. Tampoco produce una invitación a la fiesta, ni la llegada de una fiesta. Lo que significa el belén no se produce. En efecto, el Evangelio de Juan lo explica así: "Tanto amó Dios al mundo que dio a su Hijo unigénito" (Jn 3,16).

 El belén es una representación radical de la vida, en contraste con la mayor parte de nuestro presente, y no sólo porque aquí la vida se sitúa en el centro en lugar de ser desclasificada y enviada a la periferia, sino también porque está escrita con letras mayúsculas. El belén repudia el conformismo que nos lleva a preocuparnos por la amputación de nuestra propia existencia y la de nuestros semejantes.

 Nos obliga a querer más que esto. El belén revela al ser humano a sí mismo y le hace descubrir su sublime vocación.

 * Cardenal Prefecto del Dicasterio de Cultura y Educación

www.avvenire.it

 

 

A PRECIOUS AND FREE GIFT - en-fr-es-it

A PRECIOUS 

AND FREE GIFT

 Every Christmas we celebrate, Jesus, the incarnate Son of God, is born for us and comes to join us in our daily lives, to illuminate it and give it fullness of meaning. The nativity scenes, which we appreciate so much, represent the birth of the Savior exactly like this: Jesus is born in the surroundings of a small town, in the daily life of people, sharing hardship, marginalization and difficulties.

 Only an attentive and unprejudiced look could have recognized the Savior in the child of the Bethlehem cave. This was the gaze of Mary and Joseph and then that of the shepherds and the wise men. It is up to us to extend this gaze, recognizing and welcoming the incarnate Son of God and offering him a place at the center of our lives. That is, "throwing open the doors" to the very One to whom the doors were closed when he was about to come into the world!

 Let's look, therefore, at the Bethlehem cave. We turn our silent gaze to the child placed in the manger; and we adore with a devout spirit the Son of God who becomes our brother and who, as an only Son, shares the Father with us. This is the precious and free gift to welcome and celebrate at Christmas.

 Jesus comes for everyone. There is no human reality in which He does not want to be present, to redeem it, to transform it, to bring it to the Father, to make it more human and more divine through the action of His Spirit. The reality of the nativity scene is clear proof of this close union between humanity and divinity. A union that attracts us, that cheers us up and that leads us to meet others. Christmas is a celebration of welcome, not of exclusion; a time of care and attention, not of indifference and marginalization; an invitation to growth, not resignation. It is God himself, made one of us, who includes and embraces everyone without exception.

 These thoughts seem to clearly contrast with what we see around us and what is reported to us live by the media every day. It must be reiterated, then, that looking at the nativity scene does not distance us from the reality that surrounds us. In it we see wars, inequalities, exploitation, attacks on innocent life, feminicides, marginalization, diseases, scarring of creation, mourning... In the nativity scene, as on the Cross, in an equally real way, Jesus identifies himself and makes himself present in all situations human suffering, to console and to redeem.

 This year, in particular, we dare to bring and celebrate Christmas in the endless battlefields where, every day, humanity is defeated. We ask for the miracle of seeing, beyond the trenches and barbed wires, brothers and sisters, men and women, elderly people and children loved by the Lord. Then desires for peace and reconciliation will be able to arise and grow and, instead of the violence of bombs, works of justice and charity will be able to multiply.

 It is time, therefore, this Christmas, to remember the essential, and the essential is the certainty that the Son of God has come and continues to come among us. The essential thing is to feel the closeness of a God who wants to keep us company. Let us support each other with creativity and affection, imagining ways of making ourselves present to our brothers, especially those who are most alone. And may the closeness of baby Jesus strengthen hope in us: the hope that we are called to live and bear witness to precisely in this time.

 May the light of Bethlehem illuminate and guide everyone!

 Civiltà Cattolica

 

UN CADEAU PRÉCIEUX ET GRATUIT

 

Chaque Noël que nous célébrons, Jésus, le Fils incarné de Dieu, naît pour nous et vient nous rejoindre dans notre quotidien, pour l'éclairer et lui donner la plénitude de sens. Les crèches, que nous apprécions tant, représentent la naissance du Sauveur exactement ainsi : Jésus naît dans les environs d'un petit village, dans la vie quotidienne des gens, partageant les épreuves, la marginalisation et les difficultés.

 Seul un regard attentif et sans préjugé aurait pu reconnaître le Sauveur dans l'enfant de la grotte de Bethléem. Ce fut le regard de Marie et de Joseph puis celui des bergers et des mages. C'est à nous d'étendre ce regard, en reconnaissant et en accueillant le Fils de Dieu incarné et en lui offrant une place au centre de nos vies. C'est-à-dire « ouvrir les portes » à Celui-là même à qui les portes étaient fermées alors qu'il était sur le point de venir au monde !

 Regardons donc la grotte de Bethléem. Nous tournons notre regard silencieux vers l'enfant placé dans la crèche ; et nous adorons d'un esprit dévot le Fils de Dieu qui devient notre frère et qui, comme Fils unique, partage avec nous le Père. C'est le cadeau précieux et gratuit à accueillir et à célébrer à Noël.

 Jésus vient pour tout le monde. Il n’y a pas de réalité humaine dans laquelle il ne veuille être présent, pour la racheter, la transformer, l’amener au Père, la rendre plus humaine et plus divine par l’action de son Esprit. La réalité de la crèche est une preuve évidente de cette union étroite entre l'humanité et la divinité. Une union qui nous attire, qui nous remonte le moral et qui nous amène à rencontrer les autres. Noël est une fête d'accueil et non d'exclusion ; un temps de soin et d’attention, et non d’indifférence et de marginalisation ; une invitation à la croissance, pas à la résignation. C’est Dieu lui-même, fait l’un de nous, qui inclut et embrasse tout le monde sans exception.

 Ces réflexions semblent clairement contraster avec ce que nous voyons autour de nous et ce qui nous est rapporté en direct par les médias au quotidien. Il faut donc réitérer que regarder la crèche ne nous éloigne pas de la réalité qui nous entoure. On y voit guerres, inégalités, exploitation, attaques contre des vies innocentes, féminicides, marginalisation, maladies, cicatrices de la création, deuil... Dans la crèche comme sur la Croix, de manière tout aussi réelle, Jésus s'identifie et fait lui-même présent dans toutes les situations de souffrance humaine, pour consoler et racheter.

 Cette année en particulier, nous osons amener et célébrer Noël sur les champs de bataille sans fin où, chaque jour, l’humanité est vaincue. Nous demandons le miracle de voir, au-delà des tranchées et des barbelés, des frères et sœurs, des hommes et des femmes, des personnes âgées et des enfants aimés du Seigneur. Alors les désirs de paix et de réconciliation pourront surgir et grandir et, à la place de la violence des bombes, les œuvres de justice et de charité pourront se multiplier.

 Il est donc temps, en ce Noël, de se souvenir de l'essentiel, et l'essentiel est la certitude que le Fils de Dieu est venu et continue de venir parmi nous. L'essentiel est de ressentir la proximité d'un Dieu qui veut nous tenir compagnie. Soutenons-nous les uns les autres avec créativité et affection, en imaginant des manières de nous rendre présents à nos frères, en particulier à ceux qui sont les plus seuls. Et que la proximité de l’enfant Jésus renforce en nous l’espérance : l’espérance que nous sommes appelés à vivre et à témoigner précisément en ce moment.

 Que la lumière de Bethléem illumine et guide tout le monde !

 Civiltà Cattolica

 

 

UN REGALO PRECIOSO Y GRATIS

 

Cada Navidad que celebramos, Jesús, el Hijo de Dios encarnado, nace para nosotros y viene a acompañarnos en nuestra vida cotidiana, para iluminarla y darle plenitud de significado. Los belenes, que tanto apreciamos, representan el nacimiento del Salvador exactamente así: Jesús nace en el entorno de un pequeño pueblo, en la vida cotidiana de la gente, compartiendo penurias, marginaciones y dificultades.

 Sólo una mirada atenta y sin prejuicios podría haber reconocido al Salvador en el niño de la cueva de Belén. Esta fue la mirada de María y José y luego la de los pastores y los Reyes Magos. A nosotros nos corresponde extender esta mirada, reconociendo y acogiendo al Hijo de Dios encarnado y ofreciéndole un lugar en el centro de nuestra vida. Es decir, "abrir de par en par las puertas" a Aquel a quien se le cerraron las puertas cuando estaba a punto de venir al mundo.

 Miremos, pues, la cueva de Belén. Dirigimos nuestra mirada silenciosa al niño colocado en el pesebre; y adoramos con espíritu devoto al Hijo de Dios que se hace nuestro hermano y que, como Hijo único, comparte con nosotros el Padre. Este es el regalo precioso y gratuito para dar la bienvenida y celebrar la Navidad.

 Jesús viene para todos. No hay realidad humana en la que Él no quiera estar presente, redimirla, transformarla, llevarla al Padre, hacerla más humana y más divina por la acción de su Espíritu. La realidad del belén es una prueba clara de esta estrecha unión entre humanidad y divinidad. Una unión que nos atrae, que nos alegra y que nos lleva al encuentro de los demás. La Navidad es una celebración de acogida, no de exclusión; un tiempo de cuidado y atención, no de indiferencia y marginación; una invitación al crecimiento, no a la resignación. Es Dios mismo, hecho uno de nosotros, quien incluye y abraza a todos sin excepción.

 Estos pensamientos parecen contrastar claramente con lo que vemos a nuestro alrededor y con lo que nos informan en directo los medios de comunicación cada día. Hay que reiterar, entonces, que mirar el belén no nos aleja de la realidad que nos rodea. En él vemos guerras, desigualdades, explotación, ataques a vidas inocentes, feminicidios, marginación, enfermedades, cicatrices de la creación, duelo... En el belén, como en la Cruz, de manera igualmente real, Jesús se identifica y hace Él mismo está presente en todas las situaciones del sufrimiento humano, para consolar y redimir.

 Este año, en particular, nos atrevemos a traer y celebrar la Navidad en los interminables campos de batalla donde, cada día, la humanidad es derrotada. Pedimos el milagro de ver, más allá de las trincheras y las alambradas, hermanos y hermanas, hombres y mujeres, ancianos y niños amados por el Señor. Entonces podrán surgir y crecer deseos de paz y de reconciliación y, en lugar de la violencia de las bombas, podrán multiplicarse las obras de justicia y de caridad.

Es tiempo, por tanto, en esta Navidad, de recordar lo esencial, y lo esencial es la certeza de que el Hijo de Dios ha venido y sigue viniendo entre nosotros. Lo esencial es sentir la cercanía de un Dios que quiere hacernos compañía. Apoyémonos unos a otros con creatividad y cariño, imaginando maneras de hacernos presentes a nuestros hermanos, especialmente a los más solos. Y que la cercanía del niño Jesús fortalezca en nosotros la esperanza: la esperanza que estamos llamados a vivir y testimoniar precisamente en este tiempo.

 ¡Que la luz de Belén ilumine y guíe a todos!

 Civiltà Cattolica

 

 

UN DONO PREZIOSO E GRATUITO

 

In ogni Natale che celebriamo, Gesù, il Figlio di Dio incarnato, nasce per noi e viene a raggiungerci nel nostro quotidiano, per illuminarlo e dargli pienezza di senso. I presepi, che tanto apprezziamo, rappresentano la nascita del Salvatore proprio così: Gesù nasce nei dintorni di una piccola città, nella quotidianità della gente, condividendo ristrettezze, emarginazioni e difficoltà.

  Solo uno sguardo attento e senza pregiudizi avrebbe potuto riconoscere il Salvatore nel bambino della grotta di Betlemme. Questo è stato lo sguardo di Maria e di Giuseppe e poi quello dei pastori e dei magi. A noi spetta prolungare questo sguardo, riconoscendo e accogliendo il Figlio di Dio incarnato e offrendogli un posto al centro della nostra vita. Ossia, «spalancando le porte» proprio a Colui al quale le porte sono state chiuse quando stava per venire al mondo!

  Affacciamoci, quindi, alla grotta di Betlemme. Rivolgiamo il nostro sguardo silenzioso al bambino deposto nella mangiatoia; e adoriamo con spirito devoto il Figlio di Dio che si fa nostro fratello e che, da Figlio unico, condivide con noi il Padre. È questo il dono prezioso e gratuito da accogliere e da celebrare a Natale.

  Gesù viene per tutti. Non c’è nessuna realtà umana in cui Lui non voglia essere presente, per redimerla, per trasformarla, per portarla al Padre, per renderla più umana e più divina tramite l’azione del Suo Spirito. La realtà del presepe è la prova evidente di questa unione stretta fra umanità e divinità. Un’unione che ci attrae, che ci rallegra e che ci porta all’incontro con gli altri. Il Natale è una celebrazione di accoglienza, non di esclusione; un tempo di cura e di attenzione, non di indifferenza e di emarginazione; un invito alla crescita, non alla rassegnazione. È Dio stesso, fatto uno di noi, che include e abbraccia tutti senza eccezione.

  Questi pensieri sembrano contrastare, in modo evidente, con ciò che vediamo attorno a noi e che ogni giorno ci viene riferito in diretta dai media. Va ribadito, allora, che lo sguardo verso il presepe non ci allontana dalla realtà che ci circonda. In essa vediamo guerre, disuguaglianze, sfruttamenti, attentati alla vita innocente, femminicidi, emarginazioni, malattie, sfregi alla creazione, lutti… Nel presepe, come sulla Croce, in un modo ugualmente reale, Gesù si identifica e si rende presente in tutte le situazioni umane di sofferenza, per consolare e per redimere.

 Quest’anno, in modo particolare, osiamo portare e celebrare il Natale negli sterminati campi di battaglia dove, ogni giorno, l’umanità è sconfitta. Chiediamo il miracolo di vedere, al di là delle trincee e dei fili spinati, dei fratelli e delle sorelle, uomini e donne, anziani e bambini amati dal Signore. Allora potranno nascere e crescere desideri di pace e di riconciliazione e, al posto della violenza delle bombe, potranno moltiplicarsi opere di giustizia e di carità.

  È tempo, quindi, in questo Natale, di ricordare l’essenziale, e l’essenziale è la certezza che il Figlio di Dio è venuto e continua a venire in mezzo a noi. L’essenziale è sentire la vicinanza di un Dio che vuole farci compagnia. Sosteniamoci a vicenda con creatività e affetto, immaginando modi di renderci presenti ai nostri fratelli, soprattutto a quelli che sono più soli. E che la vicinanza di Gesù bambino rafforzi in noi la speranza: la speranza che proprio in questo tempo siamo chiamati a vivere e a testimoniare.

 Che la luce di Betlemme illumini e guidi tutti!

  Civiltà Cattolica

 

 

TO US A SON IS GIVEN - UN HIJO SE NOS HA DADO - UN FILS NOUS A ETE' DONNE'

SOLEMNITY OF THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD

HOMILY OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS  

AR  - DE  - EN  - ES  - FR  - IT  - PL  - PT

Tonight, the great prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given” (Is 9:6).

To us a son is given.  We often hear it said that the greatest joy in life is the birth of a child.  It is something extraordinary and it changes everything.  It brings an excitement that makes us think nothing of weariness, discomfort and sleepless nights, for it fills us with a great, incomparable happiness.  That is what Christmas is: the birth of Jesus is the “newness” that enables us to be reborn each year and to find, in him, the strength needed to face every trial.  Why?  Because his birth is for us – for me, for you, for all of us, for everyone.  “For” is a word that appears again and again on this holy night: “For us a child is born”, Isaiah prophesied.  “For us is born this day a Saviour”, we repeated in the Psalm.  Jesus “gave himself for us” (Tit 2:14), Saint Paul tells us, and in the Gospel the angel proclaims: “For to you is born this day a Saviour” (Lk 2:11).  For me, for you.

Yet what do those words – for us – really mean?   They mean that the Son of God, the one who is holy by nature, came to make us, as God’s children, holy by grace.  Yes, God came into the world as a child to make us children of God.  What a magnificent gift!  This day, God amazes us and says to each of us: “You are amazing”.  Dear sister, dear brother, never be discouraged.  Are you tempted to feel you were a mistake?  God tells you, “No, you are my child!”  Do you have a feeling of failure or inadequacy, the fear that you will never emerge from the dark tunnel of trial?  God says to you, “Have courage, I am with you”.  He does this not in words, but by making himself a child with you and for you.  In this way, he reminds you that the starting point of all rebirth is the recognition that we are children of God.  This is the starting point for any rebirth.  This is the undying heart of our hope, the incandescent core that gives warmth and meaning to our life.  Underlying all our strengths and weaknesses, stronger than all our past hurts and failures, or our fears and concerns about the future, there is this great truth: we are beloved sons and daughters.  God’s love for us does not, and never will, depend upon us.  It is completely free love.  Tonight cannot be explained in any other way: it is purely grace.  Everything is grace.  The gift is completely free, unearned by any of us, pure grace.  Tonight, Saint Paul tells us, “the grace of God has appeared” (Tit 2:11).  Nothing is more precious than this.

To us a son is given.  The Father did not give us a thing, an object; he gave his own only-begotten Son, who is all his joy.  Yet if we look at our ingratitude towards God and our injustice towards so many of our brothers and sisters, a doubt can arise.  Was the Lord right in giving us so much?  Is he right still to trust us?  Does he not overestimate us?  Of course, he overestimates us, and he does this because he is madly in love with us.  He cannot help but love us.  That is the way he is, so different from ourselves.  God always loves us with a greater love than we have for ourselves.  This is his secret for entering our hearts.  God knows that the only way to save us, to heal us from within, is by loving us: there is no other way.  He knows that we become better only by accepting his unfailing love, an unchanging love that changes us.  Only the love of Jesus can transform our life, heal our deepest hurts and set us free from the vicious circles of disappointment, anger and constant complaint.

To us a son is given.  In the lowly manger of a darkened stable, the Son of God is truly present.  But this raises yet another question.  Why was he born at night, without decent accommodation, in poverty and rejection, when he deserved to be born as the greatest of kings in the finest of palaces?  Why?  To make us understand the immensity of his love for our human condition: even to touching the depths of our poverty with his concrete love.  The Son of God was born an outcast, in order to tell us that every outcast is a child of God.  He came into the world as each child comes into the world, weak and vulnerable, so that we can learn to accept our weaknesses with tender love.  And to discover something important: as he did in Bethlehem, so too with us, God loves to work wonders through our poverty.  He placed the whole of our salvation in the manger of a stable.  He is unafraid of our poverty, so let us allow his mercy to transform it completely!

This is what it means to say that a son is born for us.  Yet we hear that word “for” in another place, too.  The angel proclaims to the shepherds: “This will be a sign for you: a baby lying in a manger” (Lk 2:12).  That sign, the Child in the manger, is also a sign for us, to guide us through life.  In Bethlehem, a name that means “House of Bread”, God lies in a manger, as if to remind us that, in order to live, we need him, like the bread we eat.  We need to be filled with his free, unfailing and concrete love.  How often instead, in our hunger for entertainment, success and worldly pleasures, do we nourish life with food that does not satisfy and leaves us empty within!  The Lord, through the prophet Isaiah, complained that, while the ox and the donkey know their master’s crib, we, his people, do not know him, the source of our life (cf. Is 1:2-3).  It is true: in our endless desire for possessions, we run after any number of mangers filled with ephemeral things, and forget the manger of Bethlehem.  That manger, poor in everything yet rich in love, teaches that true nourishment in life comes from letting ourselves be loved by God and loving others in turn.  Jesus gives us the example.  He, the Word of God, becomes an infant; he does not say a word, but offers life.  We, on the other hand, are full of words, but often have so little to say about goodness.

To us a son is given.  Parents of little children know how much love and patience they require.  We have to feed them, look after them, bathe them and care for their vulnerability and their needs, which are often difficult to understand.  A child makes us feel loved but can also teach us how to love.  God was born a child in order to encourage us to care for others.  His quiet tears make us realize the uselessness of our many impatient outbursts; and we have so many of them!  His disarming love reminds us that our time is not to be spent in feeling sorry for ourselves, but in comforting the tears of the suffering.  God came among us in poverty and need, to tell us that in serving the poor, we will show our love for him.  From this night onward, as a poet wrote, “God’s residence is next to mine, his furniture is love” (EMILY DICKINSON, Poems, XVII). 

To us a son is given.  Jesus, you are the Child who makes me a child.  You love me as I am, not as I imagine myself to be; this I know!  In embracing you, the Child of the manger, I once more embrace my life.  In welcoming you, the Bread of life, I too desire to give my life.  You, my Saviour, teach me to serve.  You who did not leave me alone, help me to comfort your brothers and sisters, for you know that, from this night forward, all are my brothers and sisters.

 

HOMELY – HOMELIE - HOMILIA

AR  - DE  - EN  - ES  - FR  - IT  - PL  - PT

 

 

NOEL - CHRISTMAS - NAVIDAD - NATALE 2020 - Message de l’assistant ecclésiastique

The message from the Ecclesiastical Assistant

Message de l’assistant ecclésiastique

Mensaje del Asistente Eclesiástico

Messaggio dell’Assistente Ecclesiastico

Noël, un événement, un mystère et un appel

              Christmas: an event,a mystery, a call

        Navidad: un evento,un misterio, una llamada

Natale: un evento, un mistero, una chiamata

CHRISTMAS - NATALE: TO BE HOLY TO BE HAPPY - ESSERE SANTI PER ESSERE FELICI

[ EN  - IT ]

Pope Francis: “ ….. Christmas is a quintessential joyous feast, but we often realize that people, and perhaps ourselves, are caught up in many things and in the end there is no joy, or, if there is, it is very superficial. Why?

I was reminded of that expression by the French writer Léon Bloy: “the only great tragedy in life, is not to become a saint” (The Woman Who was Poor, see Apostolic Exhortation Gaudete et exsultate, 34). Therefore, the opposite of sadness, that is, joy, is linked to being saints. As is the joy of Christmas. Being good, at least having the desire to be good.

Let us look at the Nativity scene. Who is happy, in the Nativity? I would like to ask you children, who love to look at the little figures ... and maybe even move them a bit, putting them in different places, angering their dad, who arranged them with such care!

So who is happy in the Nativity scene? Our Lady and Saint Joseph are full of joy: they look at the Child Jesus and they are happy because, after a thousand worries, they have accepted this gift of God, with so much faith and so much love. They are “overflowing” with holiness and therefore with joy. And you will tell me: of course! They are Our Lady and Saint Joseph! Yes, but let us not think it was easy for them: saints are not born, they become thus, and this is true for them too.

Then, the shepherds are full of joy. The shepherds too are holy, certainly, because they responded to the announcement of the angels, they immediately rushed to the stable and they recognized the sign of the Child in the manger. It was not obvious. In particular, in Nativity displays there is often a young shepherd, who looks towards the scene with a dreamy, enchanted air: that shepherd expresses the astonished joy of those who welcome the mystery of Jesus with a child’s spirit. This is a trait of holiness: to preserve the capacity to be amazed, to wonder at the gifts of God, His “surprises”, and the greatest gift, the ever new surprise is Jesus. The great surprise is God!

Then, in some Nativities, the bigger ones, with so many characters, there are the trades: the cobbler, the water trapper, the blacksmith, the baker ... and so on and so forth. And everyone is happy. Why? Because they are “infected” by the joy of the event in which they participate, that is, the birth of Jesus. So their work is also sanctified by the presence of Jesus, by His coming among us.

And this also makes us think of our work. Of course, working always has an element of fatigue, this is normal. But in my homeland I knew someone who never stopped working: he pretended to work, but he didn’t work. He didn’t make an effort, you understand! But if each person reflects a little of Jesus’ holiness, it takes very little, a small ray – a smile, a little attention, a courtesy, an apology – then the whole work environment becomes more “breathable”, does it not? The heavy atmosphere that sometimes we men and women create with our arrogance, closures and prejudices is alleviated, and work improves, producing more fruit.

There is something that makes us sad in work and sickens the work environment: it is gossip. Please, do not speak badly of others, do not gossip. “Yes, but I don’t like that person, and that one…”. Look, pray for him, but do not speak badly of him, please, because this destroys: it destroys friendship, spontaneity. And criticising this person or that one. Look, it is better to be silent. If you have something against him, go and tell him directly. But do not speak badly of him. “Ah, Father, it comes naturally to gossip…”. But there is a good medicine for not gossiping, I will tell you: biting your tongue. When the wish comes, bite your tongue and in that way you will not gossip.

Even in the workplace there is “the holiness next door” (see Gaudete et exsultate, 6-9). Even here in the Vatican, of course, I can testify to this. I know some of you who are an example of life: they work for the family, and always with that smile, with that healthy, beautiful industriousness. Sanctity is possible. It is possible. This is now my sixth Christmas as Bishop of Rome, and I must say that I have known several saints who work here. Saints who live their Christian life well, and if they do something bad they apologize. But they go ahead, with the family. One can live in this way. It is a grace, and it is so beautiful. Usually they are people who are not show off; simple, modest people, but who do so much good in their work and in relationships with others. And they are joyful people; not because they always laugh, no, but because they have a great serenity inside and know how to transmit it to others. And where does that serenity come from? Always from him, Jesus, the God-with-us. He is the source of our joy, both personal and family, both at work.

So my wish is this: to be holy, to be happy. But not picture-postcard saints! Normal saints. Saints in flesh and blood, with our character, our faults, even our sins – let us ask for forgiveness and go ahead – but ready to let ourselves be “infected” by Jesus’ presence in our midst, ready to come to Him, like the shepherds, to see this Event, this incredible sign that God has given us. “I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people” (Lk 2: 10). Will we go see Him? Or will we be occupied with things?

Dear brothers and sisters, let us not be afraid of holiness. I assure you, it is the path of joy. Merry Christmas to all!

ADDRESS OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS - IT - EN 

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR - FELIZ NAVIDAD Y PROSPERO ANO NUEVO - JOYEUX NOEL ET BONNE ANNEE

“Il mistero di Dio è luce. Questo è uno dei tratti del cristiano, che ha ricevuto la luce nel Battesimo e deve darla. Il cristiano è un testimone. La testimonianza é una delle peculiarità degli atteggiamenti cristiani. Un cristiano che porta questa luce, deve farla vedere perché lui è un testimone di Gesù Cristo, Luce di Dio. E deve mettere quella luce sul candelabro della sua vita”.

 “The mystery of God is light. This is one of the traits of Christian who has received the light in Baptism and must give it. That is, a Christian is a witness. Bearing witness. One of the peculiarities of Christian behavior. A Christian who bears this light must show it because he is a witness.”

"El misterio de Dios es luz. "Y éste es uno de los rasgos del cristiano, que ha recibido la luz en el Bautismo y debe darla. Es decir, el cristiano es un testigo. Testimonio de Jesucristo, Luz de Dios. Y debe poner esta luz sobre el candelabro de su vida".

"Le mystère de Dieu est la lumière. C'est l'un des traits de Christian qui a reçu la lumière dans le Baptême et doit le donner. C'est-à-dire qu'un chrétien est un témoin. Témoignant Une des particularités du comportement chrétien. Un chrétien qui porte cette lumière doit le montrer parce qu'il est un témoin de Jésus ».

                                                                                                             Papa Francesco

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

¡Feliz Navidad y próspero año nuevo!

Joyeux Noel et bonne année

Fröhliche Weihnachten und ein gutes neues Jahr!

Buon Natale e Felice Anno Nuovo!

Crăciun fericit și An Nou fericit

Feliz Natal e um Próspero Ano Novo!

Zalig kerstfeest en Gelukkig Nieuwjaar

Maligayang pasko at manigong bagong taon!

Il-Milied Ħieni u s-Sena t-Tajba

Krismasi Njema / Heri ya krismas

Веселого Різдва і з Новим Роком

عيد ميلاد سعيد وسنة جديدة سعيدة