31 Jul 1999 | Non categorizzato, Word of
«Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord» (Luke 1:45)
These words belong to an event which is simple and sublime at the same time: it is the encounter between two expecting mothers whose spiritual and physical symbiosis with their sons is total. They lend them their lips, their sentiments. When Mary speaks, Elizabeth’s son leaps with joy in her womb. When Elizabeth speaks, it seems that her words are put on her lips by the Precursor. But while the first words of her hymn of praise to Mary are addressed personally to the mother of the Lord, the final ones are in the third person: “Blessed is she who believed.”
Thus her “affirmation acquires the character of universal truth: beatitude applies to all believers; it concerns those who accept the Word of God and put it into practice, and who find in Mary their model.” (1)
«Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.»
It is the first beatitude of the Gospel in reference to Mary, but also to all those who want to follow her and imitate her.
In Mary, there is a close bond between faith and maternity, as a consequence of listening to the Word. And in this passage Luke suggests something that concerns us too. Further ahead in his Gospel, Jesus says: “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it” (Lk 8:21).
Almost anticipating these words, Elizabeth, moved by the Holy Spirit, announces to us that every disciple can become “mother” of the Lord. The condition is that he or she believe in the Word of God and live it.
«Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.»
After Jesus, Mary is the one who best and most perfectly said “yes” to God. Her sanctity and greatness lies, above all, in this. If Jesus is the Word, the incarnate Word, Mary, because of her faith in the Word, is the Word lived, but a created being like us, just like us.
Mary’s role as the mother of God is lofty and magnificent. But the Virgin is not the only one God calls to generate Christ. Every Christian has a similar task, even though in a different way: to incarnate Christ to the point of repeating, like St. Paul: “It is no longer I who live, but it is Christ lives in me” (Gal. 2:20).
How can we accomplish this? By approaching the Word of God as Mary did, that is, by being totally open to it. Therefore, to believe, as Mary did, that all the promises contained in the Word of Jesus will be fulfilled, and if necessary, to risk the consequences which his Word can sometimes imply, as Mary did. Wonderful things always happen to those who believe in the Word – big things, little things. We could fill books with facts that prove this.
We will never forget the experience we made when, in the midst of the war, believing in the words of Jesus: “Ask and it will be given to you” (Mt. 7:7), we asked for all that the many poor in the city needed, and we saw sacks of flour, boxes of powdered milk, jam, firewood, and clothes arrive.
Things like this happen today, too. “Give and gifts will be given to you” (Lk. 6:38), and the cupboards of provisions to be shared is always full because it is regularly emptied.
But what is most striking is to see that the words of Jesus are true always and everywhere. God’s help arrives on time, even in the most impossible circumstances and in the most isolated points on earth, as happened a short time ago to a mother who lives in dire poverty. One day she gave the little money she had left to someone who was in greater need. She believed in that “Give and gifts will be given to you” of the Gospel. And she felt at peace. Shortly afterwards, her youngest daughter showed her a gift she had just received from an elderly relative who happened to be in the neighborhood that day: in her little hand was double the amount that the mother had given.
A “small” experience like this encourages us to believe in the Gospel. Each one of us can experience the joy, the beatitude that comes from seeing the promises of Jesus come true.
When we come in contact with the Word of God, through the everyday circumstances of our life, by reading from Sacred Scripture, let us open our heart and listen, believing that what Jesus is asking us and promising will come true. We will soon discover, like Mary and like that mother, that he keeps his promises.
Chiara Lubich
1) G. Rossé, Il Vangelo di Luca, Rome, 1992, p. 67.
30 Jun 1999 | Non categorizzato, Word of
“The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it” (Mt. 13:45-46)
In this very brief parable, Jesus captivates the imagination of his listeners. Everyone knew the value of pearls which, along with gold, were the most precious elements known at that time.
In addition, the Scriptures spoke of wisdom, that is, of the knowledge of God as something that “could not be likened to any priceless gem” (Wis. 7:9).
But what emerges in the parable is the description of an exceptional, surprising and unexpected event: the merchant caught sight of a pearl, perhaps in a bazaar, which had enormous value only to his expert eyes, and therefore, from which he could derive considerable profit. This is why, after calculating his risks and interests, he decided that it was worthwhile to sell all he had in order to buy the pearl. Who wouldn’t have done the same in his place?
This then is the profound meaning of the parable: the encounter with Jesus, and that is, with the Kingdom of God among us – this is the pearl! The unique opportunity we must jump at, engaging all our energies and all that we possess.
«The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.»
This is not the first time that the disciples are faced with a radical demand, having to leave all in order to follow Jesus: everything that is most precious to them, like family affections, economic security, guarantees for the future.
But he is not asking something unmotivated or absurd.
For the “all” that we lose there is the “all” that we find, inestimably more precious. Each time Jesus asks for something, he promises to give much, much more, in abundance.
Thus he assures us in this parable that we will have a treasure in our hands that will make us rich forever.
And if it seems to be a mistake to leave what is certain for what is uncertain, a secure good for only the promise of good, let us remember that merchant: he knows that that pearl is very precious and he confidently awaits the profits it will bring him.
Likewise, whoever wants to follow Jesus knows, sees, with the eyes of faith, what an immense gain it will be to share with him the heritage of the Kingdom for having left everything at least spiritually.
God offers to all men and women an opportunity of this kind some time in their lives.
«The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant searching for fine pearls. When he finds a pearl of great price, he goes and sells all that he has and buys it.»
It is a concrete invitation to put aside all the idols that can take the place of God in our heart: career, marriage, studies, a beautiful house, profession, sports, entertainment.
It is an invitation to put God in the first place, at the height of all our thoughts and affections, because everything in our life must converge towards him and come to us from him.
By doing this, by seeking the Kingdom, according to the Gospel promise, the rest will be given to us besides (Cf. Lk. 12:31). Putting aside everything for the Kingdom of God, we receive the hundredfold in houses, brothers, sisters, fathers, and mothers (Cf. Mt. 19:29), because the Gospel has a clear human dimension: Jesus is the God-Man and together with spiritual food, he assures us of bread, shelter, clothes, family.
Perhaps we should learn from the “little ones” to trust more in the Providence of the Father, who never fails to give to those who give, out of love, the little they have.
A few months ago, a group of young people in the Congo started making artistic cards from banana peels, which are then sold in Germany. At first, they kept all the profits (some of them support their entire families). Now they have decided to put 50% of the profits in common, and 35 unemployed young people have received assistance.
God does not let himself be outdone in generosity: two of these young people gave such a witness in the shop where they work that a number of shopkeepers in search of personnel, inquired at that shop. As many as eleven young people found permanent jobs.
Chiara Lubich
10 Jun 1999 | Non categorizzato
9 Jun 1999 | Non categorizzato
Dear Brothers and Sisters, 1.The love of God the Father, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all! With these words I greet all of you who are participating in the international meeting of Movements and new ecclesial Communities, which is being held in Speyer. I extend special greetings to His Excellency Bishop Anton Schlembach, who generously welcomed you in his diocese, to His Eminence Cardinal Miloslav Vlk, and to the other Bishops and priests, friends of the Movements, who are accompanying you during these days. Cordial greetings also to the promoters of the meeting: Chiara Lubich, Andrea Riccardi and Salvatore Martinez. You decided to meet together, representatives of various Movements and new Communities, a year after the meeting organized by the Pontifical Council for the Laity in St. Peter’s Square, on the vigil of Pentecost 1998. That event was a great gift for the entire Church. In an atmosphere of fervent prayer we were able to experience the presence of the Holy Spirit. It was a presence made tangible by the “common witness” which the Movements gave of profound understanding and unity while respecting the diversities of each one. It was a significant epiphany of the Church, rich in charisms and gifts which the Spirit never ceases to bestow. 2. Each gift of the Spirit, as you well know, calls upon our responsibility and must necessarily be transformed into a task to be faithfully accomplished. In fact, this is the main reason for your meeting in Speyer. By listening to what the Spirit is saying to the Churches (cf. Apoc. 2:7) at the vigil of the Great Jubilee of the Redemption, you want to assume directly and together with the other Movements the responsibility of the gift received on that May 30, 1998. The seed, scattered in abundance, cannot be wasted; rather, it must produce fruit within your communities, in the parishes and diocese. It is beautiful and it gives joy to see how the Movements and new Communities feel the need to converge in ecclesial communion, and how they strive through concrete actions to share with one another the gifts received, to support one another in difficulties and to cooperate in facing together the challenges of the new evangelization. These are eloquent signs of that ecclesial maturity which I hope will increasingly characterize each component and expression of the ecclesial community. 3. Throughout these years I have noticed the important fruits of conversion, of spiritual rebirth and of holiness which the Movements bring to the life of the local Churches. Thanks to the dynamism of these new ecclesial aggregations, many Christians rediscovered their vocation rooted in Baptism and they dedicated themselves with extraordinary generosity to the evangelizing mission of the Church. For many it has been the occasion for rediscovering the value of prayer, while the Word of God has become their daily bread, and the Eucharist the center of their lives. In the encyclical Redemptoris missio I called to mind, as a new development occurring in many Churches in recent times, the rapid growth of “ecclesial movements,” filled with missionary dynamism: “When these movements humbly seek to become part of the life of local Churches and are welcomed by Bishops and priests within diocesan and parish structures,” I wrote, “they represent a true gift of God both for new evangelization and for missionary activity in the proper sense of the term. I therefore recommend that they be spread, and that they be used to give fresh energy, especially among young people, to Christian life and to evangelization, within a pluralistic view of the ways in which Christians can associate and express themselves” (n. 72). I sincerely hope that the Speyer Meeting will be for each one of you and for all your Movements an occasion for growing in the love of Christ and his Church, according to the teaching of the apostle Paul, who encourages us “to earnestly desire the higher gifts” (1 Cor. 12:31). I entrust the work of your meeting to Mary, Mother of the Church, and I accompany you with my prayers, while to each one of you and to your families I impart a special Blessing. From the Vatican, June 3, 1999
7 Jun 1999 | Non categorizzato
This was one of the initiatives which Pope John Paul II referred to this year, on Pentecost Sunday, when he recalled the momentous meeting held in St Peter’s Square on the eve of Pentecost ’98.
He said: “The Pentecost ‘98 meeting has produced invaluable fruits. It has given rise to a great number of initiatives aimed at nurturing a sense of communion within the movements and ecclesial communities, and at increasing collaboration among them, with the local Church and with the parishes.” The Pope added that he “thanked the Lord for this promising springtime in the Church, so rich in hope.”
Since this great event held last year in St Peter’s Square, a network of relationships between founders and leaders of some of the more important ecclesial movements has been established. The meeting opened with a message from the Holy Father, read by Bishop S. Rylko, Secretary of the Pontifical Council for the Laity.
The “Speyer ‘99” Meeting provided the opportunity to strengthen these relationships and to deepen mutual understanding.
Chiara and Mons Rylko
Some of the themes focussed on were, for example, the movements in the history of the Church, the new Pentecost in action, the new page opened by the Pope regarding the co-essentiality of charisms and institution in the Church. Also discussed were the initiatives of communion and collaboration undertaken to date, and the fruits derived from such actions, while future projects were launched. Present also at the convention was Cardinal Miloslav Vlk, President of the Council of European Episcopal Conference.
The Focolare Movement, the St Egidio Community and Catholic Charismatic Renewal were joint promoters of the convention.
Andrea Riccardi (St. Egidio) and Salvatore Martinez (Catholic Charismatic Renewal)
ADDRESSES
The purpose of our meeting: communion among Movements – from Chiara Lubich’s addresses
Movements in the history of the Church – Andrea Riccardi
The Charisms and co-essentiality – prof. Piero Coda
The Movements in the Church – prof. Jesus Castellano Cervera
Post-Pentecost ’98: day-meetings in common – d. Silvano Cola
Ecclesial Movements together: in Portugal the victory of life – Antonio Borges
31 May 1999 | Non categorizzato, Word of
In reading this Word of Life, two kinds of existence come into relief: the earthly life, which is built in this world, and the supernatural life given by God through Jesus, a life which does not end with death and which no one can take away from us.
Therefore, we can choose between two attitudes: one is to be attached to our earthly life, considering it as our only “good”. This attitude leads to thinking only of ourselves, of our own affairs, of our children, thereby sealing ourselves up within a cocoon woven from our self esteem, and inevitably ending up in the emptiness of certain death. The other choice, instead, is to believe that God has given us a much more profound and authentic existence. This would give us the courage to live in a manner that merits this gift to the point of sacrificing our earthly life for the other life.
«Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.»
When Jesus said these words he was thinking of martyrdom. Like all Christians, we should be ready to follow the Master and to remain faithful to the Gospel, to lose our life, even to die a violent death, if necessary, and with the grace of God, we will obtain the true life. Jesus was the first one who “lost his life,” and he regained it glorified. He warned us not to be afraid of those “who kill the body but cannot kill the soul” (Mt. 10:28).
Today he tells us:
«Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.»
If you read the Gospel carefully, you will see that Jesus goes back to this thought for six times. This shows how important it is and how much Jesus takes it into consideration.
But for Jesus, the exhortation to lose one’s life is not only an invitation to martyrdom. It is a fundamental law of Christian life.
We must be ready to renounce setting up our own selves as the ideal of our lives, to give up our selfish independence. If we want to be authentic Christians, we must put Christ at the center of our lives. What does Christ want from us? Love for others. If this becomes the style of our life, we will certainly have lost our own lives, but we will have found eternal life.
And not living for oneself is certainly not, as some people may think, an attitude of renunciation and passivity. Indeed, Christians have a very strong commitment and a keen sense of responsibility.
«Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.»
Even in this life, it is possible to experience that by giving ourselves, by putting love into every action, “life” grows within us. When we spend our day at the service of others, when we transform our work (which is perhaps monotonous and tedious) into a gesture of love, we will experience the joy of greater fulfillment.
«Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.»
By following Jesus’ commandments, which are all pivoted on love, after this brief life we will find eternal life as well.
Let us remember what Jesus will do and say on Judgement day. He will say to those on his right: “Come, blessed… because I was hungry and you gave me to eat… I was a stranger and you welcomed me; naked and you clothed me…” (Mt. 25:34).
To make us participate in the life that does not pass away, he will look at just one thing: if we loved our neighbor, and he will consider as done to himself whatever we did to them.
How then should we live this Word of Life? How should we lose our life even now in order to find it? By preparing ourselves for that great and decisive exam for which we were born.
Let’s look around us and fill our day with acts of love. Christ presents himself to us in our children, in our wife, in our husband, in our colleagues at work, in politics, amusement… Let’s do good to everyone. And let’s not forget those we come to know about every day through the newspapers or through friends or through the television… Let’s do something for everyone, according to our capabilities. When we seem to have used every means, we can still pray for them. Loving is what counts.
Chiara Lubich
