30 Sep 2000 | Non categorizzato, Word of
These words are essential for understanding where Jesus stands with regard to wealth. The image is strong, paradoxical, in keeping with the Semitic style. Wealth and the kingdom of God are incompatible, and there is no point in wanting to play down a teaching which appears several times in Jesus' preaching. For example, he says that it is not possible to serve God and mammon (that is, wealth). He seems to ask the rich young man for renouncements which are impossible for man but not for God.
But let's try to understand the true sense of these words from Jesus himself, from his relationship with those who are rich.
He also associates with people who are well-off. To Zacchaeus who gives only half of his goods, he says: “Today salvation has come to this house”. Moreover, the Acts of the Apostles testify that the communion of goods was spontaneous and free in the early Church.
Therefore, Jesus did not intend to found solely a community of people who called to follow him, leave all their riches.
And yet he says:
«It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.»
Then what does Jesus condemn? Certainly not the goods of this earth in themselves, but our being attached to them.
Why?
It's clear: because everything belongs to God and the rich person, instead, acts as if the riches belong to him or her.
The fact is that riches can easily take the place of God in the human heart; they blind us and favor every vice. Paul, the Apostle, wrote: “Those who want to be rich are falling into temptation and into a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all evils, and some people in their desire for it have strayed from the faith and have pierced themselves with many pains.”
What should be the attitude then of those who have possessions? They need to keep their hearts free, totally open to God. They should feel that they are administrators of their goods and know, as John Paul II says, that these goods are under a “social mortgage”.
Because the goods of this earth are not evil in themselves, they should not be scorned, but they must be used well.
Our heart, not our hand, must stay far from them. It's a matter of using them for the good of others.
Those who are rich are rich for the benefit of others.
«It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.»
Someone might say: I'm not rich, not at all, so these words don't apply to me.
We must be careful. The question that the disciples asked Christ in dismay right after they had heard this statement was: “Who then can be saved?'' This clearly implies that these words were addressed in some way to everyone.
Even a person who has left everything in order to follow Christ can be attached to thousands of things. Even the poor man who carries a chunk of bread in his bag and curses if anyone touches it, can be rich in the eyes of God.
And yet many rich people in the history of the Church did not turn back. They followed Jesus along the way of the most radical poverty. This was the case of Eletto, whom I knew well: a tall and handsome young man who was intelligent and rich. When he heard God's call to follow him, he didn't hesitate for a moment. He didn't turn away. Riches didn't seem to exist for him. He gave up all his goods and his life too. He drowned in a lake while carrying out an act of charity towards a little boy; he was only 33 years old. There, by the lakeside, the following words are written on a memorial tablet: “I chose God alone, and nothing, nothing else.”
When Eletto appeared before Jesus, he certainly did not hear the words: “It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.''
Chiara Lubich
(more…)
21 Sep 2000 | Non categorizzato
Chiara Lubich, honorary citizen of Florence
20/09/2000
Over 3000 people participated in the ceremony in Palazzo Vecchio, along with those linked through the maxi screen in Piazza della Signoria. The Mayor, The President of the European Commission, Romano Prodi, and Chiara Lubich addressed the participants. Present were Cardinal Piovanelli, a number of bishops, mayors of Italian and other European cities, a Muslim Imam, representatives of the Buddhist faith and of other Churches and ecclesial Movements.
“This honorary citizenship recognises the work of Chiara Lubich in the area of dialogue among people of different religious beliefs, and among peoples, and her tenacious will to always seek common ground even with those who do not profess any religious faith, thus promoting human development above all in this time which is marked by a closed mentality and intolerance towards all that is different.”
This was one of the main reasons given in the motivation read by the President of the Florence City Council, Alberto Brasca, in the famous historical setting of the Hall of the Five Hundred in Palazzo Vecchio.
“Chiara’s message is not only for believers,” affirmed Mayor Leonardo Domenici, “It also has something to say to those who, while not professing any religious belief, have never ceased believing that this world, this society is in need of profound changes in order to respond – as Chiara herself says – to the challenge that this millennium may see the building of a new world of peace.” He defined this day as, “a day of commitment and of reflection, and not simply an occasion for celebrating a new citizen”.
Openness and dialogue are what Europe is so urgently in need of as it undergoes a seachange which President Prodi defined as “dramatic”: it is “faced with the choice between remaining closed or bringing to completion the unity of western and eastern Europe with the consequent population increase from 370 to 500 million people, while the increase in revenue is only eight percent.”
Prodi recalled a very demanding slogan used by Chiara Lubich: “Love the other’s country as one’s own”. He pointed out that “this openness is not a denial of our identity. It’s an openness towards others which reinforces our identity. This concept of unity in diversity gives us the courage to maintain our own identity in every debate or discussion”.
Having recalled the role of Florence in the world and those historical figures who have contributed to its reputation as a crossroads of dialogue, Chiara Lubich spoke in depth of the “spiritual and cultural gifts the Focolare Movement brings to the city” (Il Corriere di Firenze). In her talk, the new citizen showed the courage of her convictions by offering the very diverse audience the witness of her experience of God based on the Gospel which is the soul of dialogue in all the fields in which the Focolare Movement works. Her words were received “with an almost religious silence” according to the Italian television news service TG1.
One of the councillors, Eugenio Giani, said: “Chiara Lubich has been recognized for her capacity to dialogue”. The ceremony itself was an experience of this. The following day, when interviewed at the Sports Stadium of Florence, prior to the Gen Rosso concert, Mr Giani commented on the previous day’s ceremony:
“I have never seen in that hall such a diverse range of people, representing different disciplines and faiths, ranging from the Orthodox Church to Buddhism. Their presence was a tacit recognition of Chiara Lubich’s spirituality which goes beyond any individual denomination. In fact it gives witness to profound spiritual values which, in one way or another, all of us accept and respond to. We all experienced a very deep joy to have lived such a special moment. So many dignitaries – mayors of Italian cities – were proud to be present. By conferring an honorary citizenship on Chiara Lubich, we felt that in some way or another we were interpreting the deep sentiments of the representatives of our communities from all over the country who, on this occasion, renewed the sense of dialogue, of openness, of internationality with which Florence would like to be characterised and which is characteristic of its history.”
14 Sep 2000 | Non categorizzato
31 Aug 2000 | Non categorizzato, Word of
Jesus made this statement while speaking to a crowd that was very familiar with the norms that the Old Testament and the rabbinical teaching had prescribed in order to approach the sacred area of the temple. It was a complex ritual of ablutions and the washing of objects which Mark's Gospel had described (Mk. 7:3-4). That exterior purification was meant to be the expression of an interior, spiritual purity, but in reality, the true meaning of those rituals had been forgotten, and the focus was on a scrupulous and formal observance of countless rules.
«Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile.»
Even though this affirmation was perfectly compatible with Jewish law, the position which Jesus took was quite courageous because it went against the current. He was continuing along the great tradition of the prophets, who had always called the people to an authentic cult, that is, practiced with all their heart and soul, and not only exteriorly, concerned solely with avoiding physical contact with foods and objects declared to be impure.
Here then, as in all his preaching and behavior, Jesus does not want to abolish the Law, but to bring it to fulfillment (cf. Mt. 5:27), that is, to bring it back to its profound meaning and goal, which is that of drawing human beings closer to God.
«Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile.»
“…the things that come out from within are what defile.”
This second part of Jesus words deals with that which really makes us unclean: we are not contaminated by what enters in us, but by what comes out of us. From within, from people's hearts, come evil thoughts and intentions, which are the cause of: “unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly (Mk. 7:21-22).
Jesus views creation as good and knows full well that the human person was created in God's image and likeness. He also knows human nature and its tendency towards evil; thus he demands that we convert.
His moral severity emerges clearly from the words we are considering. He wants to create in us a pure and sincere heart which, like a clear spring, will give rise to good thoughts and blameless actions.
«Nothing that enters one from outside can defile that person; but the things that come out from within are what defile.»
How then can we live these words?
If it is not the food and the other material things that come to us from our surroundings that make us unclean and separate us from friendship with God, but rather our own self – our own heart, and decisions – then it is obvious that Jesus wants us to reflect on the true motives behind our actions and behavior.
And we know that for Jesus, only love can purify everything we do.
One who loves, does not sin or kill, or speak ill of others, or steal or betray…
So then, let us be guided twenty-four hours a day by love: love for God and for our neighbors. We will then be true Christians.
Chiara Lubich
(more…)
22 Aug 2000 | Non categorizzato
22 Aug 2000 | Non categorizzato
“Will the day ever come when we can share our culture with the western world?” This was the question posed by Martin Nkafu, professor of African culture at the Pontifical Universities in Rome. He was giving voice to the suffering of a continent which is still lacerated by the deep wounds caused by Western exploitation through colonialism and slavery, wounds that are still the underlying cause of many conflicts and situations of extreme poverty. Martin was speaking to a cosmopolitan gathering of more than 25,000 young people, representing five continents, who filled Flaminio Stadium in Rome to participate in the Genfest 2000, one of the youth gatherings of World Youth Day. Genfest is an international event promoted by the Focolare Movement’s “Youth for a United World”. One of the projects launched was “Project Africa 2000” which was received with great enthusiasm by the youth present. The project involves: first the twinning of African cities with cities in other countries in order to promote a better understanding and appreciation of their diverse cultures; fund-raising projects for the hospital in Fontem, located in the heart of the forest in Cameroon, to enable the building of a new wing for AIDS patients; the establishment of dispensaries and vocational schools in other parts of the country. Personal outreach also has an important part to play. Young medical practitioners and teachers were invited to dedicate a period of their life to work in Fontem, perhaps opting to do community service in the place of military service where this is possible. But opportunities to build ties with the African people are manifold, especially with those who work or study in our cities. Another opportunity is that of campaigning for the cancellation of foreign debts in developing countries. The project was launched by Chiara Lubich who challenged the young people with a new vision: to contribute towards the development of “new peoples”. The idea was the result of her recent visit to Fontem in Africa where she returned after an absence of 30 years. She told the story of the Bangwa people – referring to it as a “fairy tale” – who were dying out due to the high infant mortality rate, but who, instead, have achieved a very high degree of development. They also became the centre of a new evangelisation for many other African countries due to the witness of mutual love among the African and white people through which many works were born: hospitals, schools, cottage industries. This has been the experience of the Focolare Movement in these lands. Martin Nkafu, the son of a Bangwa tribal chief, said: “I myself have found the answer to the question I posed at the beginning. We can say that today Fontem is a model town, one among many, in which the mutual sharing of African and western cultures is possible”. Genfest 2000, an event promoted by “Youth for a United World” every five years, was an expression of today’s youth culture and creativity: music, choreography, folklore. A very moving item was that performed by a group of young people from Lebanon: there were Muslims, Christians, members of the Maronite and Coptic Churches. There were many testimonies shared, such as that given by Jean Bosco from Congo, a country torn by ethnic conflicts. Together with his friends, they risked their lives: “We placed ourselves like human shields in front of those who were in danger of being beaten to death. We succeeded in saving many lives.” There were also stories of solidarity in Kosovo among refugees, and testimonies of dialogue between people of different religions: a Muslim girl from Mindanao, in the Philippines, shared her experience, as well as an afro-american Muslim boy, a Hindus, and Japanese Buddhists. “Don’t be afraid to be saints of the third millennium”. This was the Pope’s invitation to the young people. When the story of Chiara Luce Badano was shared during the Genfest, it was an emotional moment for all those present in the stadium. At 18 years of age she died from a tumour. She had said: “At times I feel overwhelmed by the pain. But it’s Jesus who comes visit me”. And she wanted to be buried dressed in a wedding gown, ready to meet her Spouse. The cause for her beatification is underway. “And the Word came to dwell among us.” These words chosen by the Pope for World Youth Day were the focus of Chiara Lubich’s experience. With freshness and invoking a sense of wonder, she recounted at length the divine adventure of the beginning of the Focolare: the discovery of God who is Love in a climate of hatred and violence during the war, the commandment of mutual love, the heart of the Gospel which brought about an experience of unity in times of great trial. “We experienced a joy we had never experienced before, a new peace, a new ardour. It was a light – His light – that was guiding us. It was Jesus who was fulfilling his promise: ‘Where two or three are gathered in my name – that is, in my love – there am I in their midst’ .” And it was this joy stemming from the many experiences of peace, of profound dialogue between young people of different religions, which overflowed onto those present at Flaminio Stadium. The mandate given by Chiara to the young people was this: “If we love, the world will change. A united world will not be a utopia”. This mandate was taken up the Mayor of Rome, Francesco Rutelli, in his concluding address at the Genfest. He described the young people that had invaded Rome as “a river of love” and he added, “Perhaps you came to Rome to learn something. Instead we are the ones who have much to learn …”
