6 Jul 2018 | Non categorizzato
After having retraced features of the youth reality in the ‘80s, emerging from the private life following the riots in the squares of different worldwide capital cities, Chiara Lubich explains how the young people “have believed in the possibility of the world’s rebirth and they have rolled up their sleeves in order to give their contribution. They have done so through a wealth of incredible initiatives.” And she continues: “They are present, walking along the different pathways in order to reach the goal of a united world. There is the pathway of unity among races, of unity among peoples; the pathway of development, of unity between the rich and the poor, of unity among generations; the pathway of unity among nations at war, in order to achieve peace; among the faithful of different religions, between people and nature; among persons of different ideologies; the pathway of unity among ethnic minorities, of unity with those who are alone or who suffer in every way. Without being concerned about what people might think of them, they have recognized this pathway in Jesus. ‘I am the way’ (Jn 14:6), Jesus said, and they have followed Him trying to live His doctrine to the letter by putting the Word of God into practice. … Moreover, in whom can young people trust if not in Him? He alone can help them to realize the ideals that they have in their hearts and that they seek to defend. They love freedom; they strive for it; they want it. Who can give them freedom if not Jesus, who said: “If you remain in my word … you will know the truth and the truth will set you free” (Jn 8:31-32). Young people want respect for nature. In many countries, they struggle to save people from self-destruction due to pollution. Who can respond to this desire more than the One who has created nature for human beings? Young people love peace; they want peace. Who can guarantee peace more than the One who said: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you; not as the world gives do I give it you” (Jn 14:27). Young people want human rights to be respected. Did Christ not come on earth precisely to announce the Good News to the poor, to proclaim liberty to prisoners, to give sight to the blind and the oppressed back their freedom? (see Lk 4:18). Young people ask for social justice. Where do they find the courage to come face to face with contradictions, misery and hypocrisy, the open wounds of a consumer society, if not in Him who calls blessed “…the hungry and thirsty for justice?” (Mt 5:6). Young people do not love divisions. Who can satisfy them more than the One who sees humanity as one and who came to knock down the barriers between different groups, ethnicity, cultures and peoples? Young people are attracted to non-violence. Where can they find the incarnation of their ideal if not in the One who has told us to love even our enemies, thus bringing non-violence to its extreme consequences? Young people love solidarity and the communion of goods between the rich and the poor. Jesus, who told us to give to whoever asks and not to turn our backs on whoever asks for a loan, is their model of solidarity. Just as the first Christians had understood Jesus’ requirements, so that no one kept any property as his or her own, likewise, young people find all their needs satisfied in Jesus. … Yes, young people with Christ, young people and Christ, the ways and the Way: this is the binomial which can give us true hope. … Go ahead, my dear young people, with total confidence. Go ahead with perseverance. Enlighten people with your actions. Let your faith shine forth before a humanity which often drags on with a life that is mediocre and meaningless. Show it how disunity can be avoided and how unity can be built. Speak out clearly on how this Ideal is not a utopia; indeed, only those who have great ideals make history.” (Extract from: Message by Chiara Lubich at the Genfest, Mollens (Switzerland), 24 March 1987 – Source: www.centrochiaralubich.org)
4 Jul 2018 | Non categorizzato
Head of Department The director of our sector had for some time seemed like an engine running at full speed. Everybody tried to avoid him. One day, talking with my grandmother, she told me about my grandfather who had gone through a period of physical exhaustion during which he seemed like an unfettered horse. His recovery was facilitated by the calm atmosphere in the family. The next day I gathered my colleagues and proposed to them that we help the boss, trying to listen to him with calm and anticipating his needs. Not everyone agreed, but the majority understood. A few days later the boss confided to us the tragedy that his family was going through. He also thanked us saying: “Because of your help I never lost hope.” C. M. – Spain Change of Course I was 61 years old when I met some young people who were trying to live the Gospel. I was amazed by their harmony and serenity. I had been a sailor and knew well how difficult it can be to live together. This convinced me to want to learn more, so I purchased a copy of the Gospel. Reading it for the first time, I realized I had to change course: It wasn’t enough to be honest in order to feel that all was well with me. I had to love others, excluding no one. This involved a radical change in my way of thinking and acting, beginning with my family. Whereas with people I didn’t know I was all smiles and willing to engage in conversation, whereas at home with them, I spoke little, only when necessary and with an authoritarian tone. G. – Italy Bullying I experienced bullying for myself. When I was a teenager, several students from my school decided to beat up the first red-head who would head towards the toilets. And I happened to be the one. Now I’m a teacher. One day, before class, a student came looking for me in the teacher room. He told me that he had been charged with setting a trap for his best friend, and if he didn’t do it he would receive equal treatment. He was shaking and afraid. During the lesson, I told them what happened to me. I asked my students to tell me what they thought of what I had said and my words were followed by words and long silences. A few days later I learned that the trap was no longer planned on. H. N. – Hungary Dad’s Return The news that Dad had returned to Itay with his new wife for a period of vacation had overturned the life of me and my sister. After the separation of our parents years of difficulty followed. From the return to our country with our mother until her death from an incurable disease. The relationship between us sisters was peaceful, but the news of Dad’s arrival brought forth a lot of forgotten feelings and pain. “I don’t want to see him!” was the first impulse. Then a thought: God, our only value, reminded us to love our enemies. The meeting with Dad went well and we tried to love him. A bridge has been built between us. E. R. – Italy
29 Jun 2018 | Non categorizzato
27 Jun 2018 | Non categorizzato, Word of
In his second letter to the community in Corinth, St. Paul writes to people who were questioning the legitimacy of his apostolic activity. However, he does not defend himself by listing his own merits and achievements. On the contrary, he highlights the work that God has accomplished in him and through him. St. Paul mentioned a mystical experience of a deep relationship with God (2 Cor 11:1-7), but immediately shared his suffering due to a “thorn” that tormented him. He did not explain exactly what it was, but we realize it caused great difficulty and could have limited his activity as an evangelizer. For this reason, he shared the fact that he had asked God to free him from that impediment. But the answer he received from God himself was mind-blowing: “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” All of us continually experience our own physical, psychological and spiritual weaknesses, as well as those of others. We often see around us people who are suffering and can’t find the way ahead. We feel weak and unable to solve all these problems, or even face them. At most we limit ourselves to not hurting anyone. St. Paul’s experience, on the other hand, opens up a new horizon. By recognizing and accepting our weakness, we can abandon ourselves fully into the hands of the Father, who loves us as we are and wants to help us on our journey. In fact, the letter goes on, saying: “For whenever I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor 12:10). In this regard, Chiara Lubich wrote: “We naturally react against such a statement, seeing in it a glaring contradiction or simply a paradox. Instead, it expresses one of the highest truths of the Christian faith. “Jesus explained it to us with his life and above all with his death. When did he accomplish the task that the Father had entrusted to him? When did he redeem humanity? When did he conquer sin? It was when he died on the cross, after having cried out, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ (Mt 27:46). “Jesus was strongest just at his weakest moment. He could have given life to the new people of God just by preaching, doing a few more miracles or some extraordinary deed. Instead it was not so because the Church is the work of God, and it is in suffering, and only in suffering, that the works of God flourish. “So our weakness and the experience of our fragility present unique opportunities to experience the strength of Christ who died and is risen.” “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” It is the paradox of the Gospel: the meek are promised they will inherit the earth (Mt 5:5). In the Magnificat, Mary exalts the power of the Lord, who expresses himself totally and definitively in our personal history and in human history, precisely in the setting of littleness and total trust in God’s action (see Lk 1:46-55). Commenting on St. Paul’s experience, Chiara suggests that “the choice we Christians can make is the exact opposite of what people usually do. Here we are truly going against the flow. In the world, people’s ideals lie in success, power and prestige … On the contrary, St. Paul tells us we must boast of our weaknesses … “Let’s trust in God. He will make good use of our weaknesses and nothingness. And when he is at work, we can be sure that he does things that are valuable, that bring about lasting good and meet the real needs of individuals and the community.” Letizia Magri
27 Jun 2018 | Non categorizzato
Defending borders, enforcing rejection, alliances between states to protect national identities and economies, restrictions to control migratory flows. What is behind these key-words? “Very often building some sort of fence or having an attitude of safe keeping stems from fear” – explains Maria Voce, president of the Focolari. “Yet, this does not seem to be the definite solution for young people. Instead they believe that borders are horizons, points of departure, an enriching diversity”. This is why the Focolari Youth have opted for the important theme of borders – hence the title “Beyond all borders” – for their next world event that will be held in Manila from 6 to 8 July. . They want to invite for a brave change of outlook on peoples, cultures and economies. They claim that a radical change is needed in such times of exasperation of particularisms and social closures. Born in 1973 from an idea of Chiara Lubich, founder of the Focolari, the Genfest arrives at its eleventh edition; for the first time it will be held outside Europe. It will take place in the capital city of the Philippines from 6 to 8 July and 6,000 young people, aged 18 to 30 years, are expected to attend. Thousands of others will participate in the other 23 local editions that are being prepared. “We chose Asia because six out every ten young people in the world live there” – says Kiara Lauren, a Filipina,who is one of the Youth for a United World, promoters of the event. “Despite its socio-economic problems and differnces, this continent speaks to the world about hope and desire for change. We do not recognize ourselves in this international geo-political context that quite often sacrifices whole peoples for the sake of some élite. We would like individuals and our nations to look beyond their personal, cultural, religious and political boundaries, to meet others and let themselves be contaminated by diversity.The Genfest will be a unique laboratory in the world: those who will take part in it will find the necessary instruments to change themselves and their environment. As Pope Francis augured during his recent visit to Loppiano, they will be able to change “I” into “we”. 
The programme: sharing and working A lot of space will be given to exp eriences: the joint effort of young Americans and Mexicans on the border between their two countries; gestures of help and reconciliation in situations of conflict in Africa and the Middle East; supporting and welcoming people that live in refugee camps; commitment to a new way of doing politics, dialogue between different religions, etc. On July 7, in the afternoon, the Genfest is proposing the activity: Hands forHumanity. Those present will be able to partcipate in any one of 12 activities of solidarity and urban redevelopment that will be organized in different parts of Manila. Through these activities one can find out that small gestures can bring change and also have the opportunity to collect imitable ideas that can be exported to one’s own country. 
Explo and Forum: learn and experience peace Then, there is the Explo, an acronym composed by the words “Exposition” and Exploration”: this is an interactive exhibition that leads the visitor through an immersive sensorial experience of the history of humanity, from the perspective of universal fraternity: “So it is not the history we know” – says Erika Ivacson, a Hungarian artist, curator of the exhibition – “made of wars, conquests, armistices. Instead, we will relate what has made humanity progress from the point of view of peace, of friendship between individuals, peoples and cultures. The last stage will be entirely dedicated to the question: and what can I do? “. There will be 110 forums and workshops on key issues about the construction of open and supportive societies: from urban cleaning techniques and care of the territory, to social enterprise forms, to the management of personal and political conflicts, to the use of social media for peace, and much more. Follow the Genfest It will be possible to follow the live streaming, broadcast in English with translations in French, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish through the Youth for a United World website: http://www.y4uw.org/live Timetable live streaming (Manila time, UTC/GMT +8 ore): 6 July: 16-18:30 e 20-21:45 7 July: 17:45-18:45 e 20-21:45 8 July: 10:30-13 Social media regarding the event: Facebook: www.facebook.com/genfest/ o @genfest Twitter: https://twitter.com/genfest_en o @genfest_en Instagram: www.instagram.com/genfest.official/ Youtube: genfest-official or https://www.youtube.com/c/GenfestOfficial Genfest Programme Press Office Stefania Tanesini Cell. +63 9664661016 Whatsapp +39 338 5658244 stefania.tanesini@focolare.org 
26 Jun 2018 | Non categorizzato
Meeting Jesus Since I becoming mayor of our town I cannot walk along the street without someone stopping me to discuss an issue or just to greet me. Even when I’m in church, I find it difficult to be alone with Jesus. So one Sunday I went to Mass in a nearby town, hoping not to be recognized. When I got there, I found the church was packed with people attending a special liturgy celebrated by the bishop. I saw a woman sitting outside the church and I gave her some money. A little further on, there was another person begging, a man with a badly disfigured face. I walked passed him. But then it was as if I heard a voice inside me saying: “You came here because you wanted to meet Me. Here I am, in this poor woman and in this man who is suffering”. I turned back. The man was still there, happy that I had come back to find him. G. – Italy Superstition I got into a taxi and noticed that the car was full of “charms”, indicating the superstitious beliefs of the driver. As we drove along, I took courage and said, “You know, I believe in God, and I place all my trust in Him alone”. He listened to my words in silence. A few weeks later, I called for a taxi again and to my surprise I discovered it was the same driver in the same car. With even greater surprise I noticed that all the charms had disappeared, and a set of rosary beads was hanging from the rear-view mirror! N. -Switzerland Teamwork Three of us – a nurse, a laboratory technician and a doctor – work in the same hospital, in different departments. We believe that living the Gospel can not only transform people individually but can also renew whole environments, work places and social structures. Motivated by this belief, we try to meet together before work every morning, even just for a moment to share our challenges, efforts and joys. We keep on discovering how our commitment to love everyone can be practically employed in our workplace in the exercise of our professional duties every day. E., L. and B. – Italy Money under the pillow I was walking out of church with my son when a woman came up and asked us for money. I opened my wallet and gave her what I found there, 20 Euro. My son was astounded and told me I had given her too much. But I reassured him that Jesus is present in each poor person and I felt it was right to give her all I had with me. When we got home I started to tidy up a room we had offered to guests who had just left, a couple from another city visiting a sick relative. My son came to help me. As he lifted up the pillow, we found 200 Euro lying there! We had freely offered these people the means to be able to stay close to a loved one who was suffering, and they had decided to respond in this way. M.G. – Italy The ice-hockey match I am a real fan of ice-hockey. One day I couldn’t wait for school to finish so I could rush home to watch a big match on television. As soon as the final bell rang, I sped away on my moped. But I had only gone a few meters when I realized I had a flat tyre. As fast as possible I tried to pump it up, but after another hundred meters it had gone down again. Then to cap it all, it started to rain. I could feel my temper getting worse with every step as I pushed my moped along the road. Then suddenly a thought came into my head: Jesus suffered so greatly on the cross, are you not able to accept this small inconvenience? And with that, I found peace within myself once more. G. – Holland
