Oct 14, 2017 | Non categorizzato
“Mary treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart” (Lk 2:19). This statement is from Luke’s Gospel where the evangelist includes it in the wonderful description of the shepherds at the grotto of Bethlehem where Jesus was born. An angel had informed the shepherds of the amazing event: “Fear not! I bring you tidings of great joy that will be for the whole people, for unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour” (Lk 2:10-11). As soon as they reach the place, “they told all that had been said to them concerning the boy; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said. But Mary treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart” (Lk 2:19). Luke gently contrasts the outward amazement of the others who are at the grotto – shepherds, perhaps townspeople – to the dense loving and faith-filled silence of Mary. The words of those simple pilgrims to the first Marian shrine on earth, enter her soul, taking their place alongside the other revelations that she had received, and they make her understand more and more the mystery that is unfolding before her very eyes, a mystery she shares in as Mother of God. One can only Mary’s instant willingness to respond to God’s word and loving guardianship of the sacred gifts she received, but never disclosed to anyone for many years. Perhaps it was only to Luke that Our Lady personally told about this attitude of her soul during the days around the Saviour’s birth. Only she could have known it. We are so in need of the comforting sweetness of God’s gifts today. In the stressful, frenzied rhythm of these times, we run the risk of materialising everything even the life of the spirit. Silence, humility, reserve, meekness, patience in trial, can seem like obsolete virtues that are no longer viable, no longer able to allow the presence of Christianity to be felt in this century. We believe more in loudspeakers than in an edifying sentence from the Gospel. One believes more in the speeches of orators than in the prayerful silence of souls consecrated to God. First of all, the aggressiveness of the wicked and the power of their possibilities attempts to to leverage the aggressiveness of the good with their capital and power. It’s materialism that seeks to demean the values of the spirit, turning them into external expressions that will no longer carry any weight amidst the deafening deafening noise all around them. Only what is the fruit of the spirit has value in front of a world flattened by materialism; only what is part of our deep and personal love for God. For this reason humankind must once more fix its gaze on Mary.” Pasquale Foresi, “Parole di vita”, (Rome: Ed. Città Nuova, 1963) 15-17.
Oct 13, 2017 | Non categorizzato
On 24 September, 30,000 women set out on a peace march from Sderot (Negev) to Jerusalem. The initiative, promoted by “Women Wage Peace” (WWP) included meetings, moments of dialogue and prayer. It ended on 11 October in Jerusalem. “Grassroots initiatives such as this one are important because they express a part of the Israeli people who do not want war, occupation, and to continue in this situation,” commented the Maronite Patriarchate of Jerusalem. The voice of these women fills the void left by an absence of political parties truly committed to peace, at a time of “political stagnation” due to the disinterest of the international community in the Palestinian issue. WWP was born three years ago in response to the conflict in Gaza, and currently numbers 24,000 members, including “thousands of women who belong to right, centre and left wing factions, who are Arab and Jewish, religious and lay, all united to seek a political peace agreement to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.” Prayer of the Mothers
Oct 13, 2017 | Focolare Worldwide
The untamed fires that are devastating parts of California, strengthened by the strong winds and unseasonable temperatures, have left dozens of victims, the largest number in the recorded history of California, along with hundreds of people who are missing. The number of volunteers and equipment is quite striking: more than 8 thousand fire-fighters and volunteers, 550 ground equipment, 73 helicopters and more than 30 air-planes. Images of the fires that are destroying more than 80,000 hectares are spreading around the world. Countless homes have been burnt down. The most devastated counties include Sonoma, Mendocino, Yuba and Napa. Thousands of people have already been evacuated, especially in Napa County, which is known for its wine vineyards. One of the most hit areas is Sonoma County where Santa Rosa is located, which is head location for more than 200 thousand inhabitants. Entire regions of the city have been reduced to ashes. From Santa Rosa, Cindy Fitzmaurice, from the Focolare community was able to send news through Facebook, concerning the difficult conditions that many are living in now that they’ve had to abandon their houses. “We’re ready to flee,” she writes, posting a photo taken around three o’clock in the morning, in which the sky appears orange. “My heart is in pieces for my friends who have lost everything. We’re learning what really matters, and it’s certainly not material things.” It’s been a hard experience for Cindy and her neighbours, fleeing the fires in the middle of the night, looking for shelter in the homes of friends. Some had to escape with nothing but their pyjamas, leaving everything else behind. Fortunately, she writes again: “Evacuated, but safe and sound. May God bless Santa Rosa. Leaving my house after 25 years was hard. But at least we had enough time to do it and, for this, we are eternally grateful. Other’s can’t say the same. We’ll see what tomorrow will bring.” Following a night of fear and praying, last Wednesday Cindy was able to tell her friends about the good news: “Feeling extremely grateful. We are back home this morning. “Feeling extremely grateful. We are back home this morning. For now. the winds shifted east overnight toward Napa. Good for us, but so bad for others. I can’t even imagine their loss. Cindy thanks her friends who take care of them, especially her elderly mother-in-law. “All we can do is be grateful and see how we can help others. Thank you all for your prayers.” Cindy’s 18 year old niece works at a nursing home: “All the residents were evacuated to anther city. I’m proud of how she’s taking care of all of them.” Many others have posted photos on Facebook of their houses devoured by the flames and reduced to ashes. But they’re grateful to be alive. This is what matters most.
Oct 13, 2017 | Non categorizzato
In spite of the difficult social, political and economic situation across the country, dialogue among different Christian traditions has not waivered. The Focolare community in Caracas writes: “Last 14 Septmber we met at the focolare in Caracas with Anglican pastor Francisco Salazar and his wife and Pastor Coromoto Jimenez to spend some family time together. Pastor Salazar told us that the international conference in Rome last May was like “bumping across Jesus. There one found a new vision of unity and of the Church.” In Venezuela we are also holding several events to mark the 500th anniversary of the Reform. “On October 1st we were invited to a concert celebration at the Lutheran Church of Caracas with more than 200 people, including three Lutheran pastors, the ambassador of Germany and representatives from the Presbyterian and Catholic Churches. It was a solemn event with songs, memories and quotes from Luther, which witnessed to unity in diversity. One pastor remarked: “We have to unite more and more, we have the same faith in Jesus.” On November 19, the Presbyterian Church in Venezuela will mark 120 years. “They are inviting bishops, priests and Focolare members to celebrate the occasion with them. A real friendship has been formed with Pastor Maria Jimenez and her husband uriel Ramirez.”
Oct 13, 2017 | Focolare Worldwide
Curitiba, capital of the state of Paraná (Southern Brazil), is a city that holds many records: it has the highest educational index rates of the country, the lowest illiteracy rates and a high quality of education (The Federal University is the first in Brazil). It is considered the most eco-sustainable Brazilian city, thanks to innovative plans that have reconciled urban growth with care for the environment. In this “primacy city”, an important step was taken in the long and fruitful ecumenical journey between Catholics and Lutherans. The Commission for ecumenism and interreligious dialogue of the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (CNBB) and the Commission for bilateral Catholic-Lutheran dialogue, in collaboration with Catholic University of Paraná (PUCPR), chose the “green city” as the venue of the Ecumenical Marian Symposium, from 1 to 3 September. 
The occasion arose from two important anniversaries. The first was the third centenary of the salvaging of the statue of Our Lady of Aparecida from the waters of the Paraiba do Sul river. The Brazilian people are very familiar with the story of the group of poor fishermen who in 1717, in view of the banquet organized for the imminent visit of the governor of the São Paolo Province, after an unsuccessful day of fishing, again launched their nets into the river. To their surprise, they found a small muddy statue of “Our Lady,” first the body and then the head, entangled in their nets. Upon throwing their nets once again, these were unexpectedly filled with a great amount of fish. It was the first of a long series of miracles obtained from the “Black Virgin,” who subsequently became the patron of the Brazilian people. The second anniversary was the 5th centennial of the Protestant Reformation. The celebrations were jointly carried out with the historical event of Lund in October 2016, by the Catholic and Lutheran churches, in a spirit of communion, dialogue and thanksgiving. The Curitiba Symposium is thus part of an important ecumenical path.
Fr Hubertus Blaumeiser and Bishop Dom Biasin, President of the Ecumenical Commission.
