Focolare Movement

When the Gospel Is Lived/2

Nov 14, 2013

Brief experiences of living the Gospel from around the world that recall the Word of Life for November. Benevolence, mercy and forgiveness.

Together It’s Possible

Some friends for high school were coming from the villages, from a situation of marginalization; they had been through the worst. My first year was difficult, being isolated. After becoming friends with a boy who, like me, wanted to live in a Christian way, we agreed to reach out most especially to our classmates and peers who were most poor or had serious problems. In front of our school there was a handicap community. We also felt urged to go to them as well, to help them and help them not so unfortunate and alone, and we managed to draw some of our friends into this experience. The last two years of high school were truly filled with enriching and beautiful experiences for all. (G.Z. – Italy)

The Most Beautiful Photo

I’m a photographer by profession and I’ve always looked at people through my professional lens. I’ve always looked at people and the things around me as if they belonged to me somehow. What do God and love have to do with photography? However,  I no longer felt satisfied by my work. One day at a conference I was about to take the most beautiful photograph of my life (we photographers always think like this!), when someone tapped me on the shoulder and said my name. It was a toss-up: should I snap the photo or respond to the person who needed me in that moment? There was a moment of suspension and then I turned away from the object I was photographing, and I was filled with a deep joy at who I saw. (M. T.- Argentina)

Two Cases

On the road we met a distraught woman. She was young and her mother had left her with enough money for only three days. Now a week had gone by and the mother still hadn’t retursned. We decided to help her, giving her all that we had in that moment. She was shocked and gladdened by such a gesture, because she would now be able to feed her two brothers. When I arrived home there were two religious sisters who had come to visit us with two cases filled with groceries for us; much more than we had given away. We saw the words of the Gospel coming true: “Give and there will be gifts for you.”  (O. M. F.-Bolivia)

Source: Il Vangelo del giorno, (Rome: Città Nuova Editrice, November 2013).

___

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe to Newsletter

Thought of the day

Related post

Chiara Lubich to the young people: the joy of the early Christians

Chiara Lubich to the young people: the joy of the early Christians

In April 1984, the Jubilee of the Youth was celebrated, a few days before the conclusion of the extraordinary Jubilee of the Redemption. There were 300 thousand young people present. Chiara Lubich, foundress of the Focolare Movement, held a catechesis on joy for the young people gathered in the Basilica of Saint John Lateran on the 12th of April. Here is an excerpt of her talk.

Paolo Rovea, a life in God

Paolo Rovea, a life in God

On 3rd July 2025, Paolo Rovea, an Italian doctor and married focolarino, completed his earthly life. Following his passing, many messages arrived from all over the world, coming together to form a unique and very rich mosaic, just like Paolo himself.

Living the Gospel: the courage to stop

Living the Gospel: the courage to stop

The parable of the good Samaritan teaches us not only to draw close, touching the wounds of those around us and breaking down the walls of prejudice, but through this Word we come to understand the art of compassion and the infinite mercy with which God embraces us, cares for us and leaves us free to abandon ourselves to his love.