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Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - It is not true, as some think, that world events have “escaped” God’s control. Everything is ultimately subject to the judgement of God," said Pope Francis during the Eucharistic liturgy in St. Peter's Basilica on the occasion of the Solemnity of Christ the King.
In front of the World Youth Day Cross and the Marian icon "Salus Popoli Romani", the Bishop of Rome said in his homily, "by stripping himself of everything and dying on the cross for our salvation, teaches us that only in love can we live, grow and flourish in our full dignity."
The Pope then quoted a letter from Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, who will be canonized on August 3 as part of the Youth Jubilee: "without love we no longer live, but we simply get by. We want to live, not just get by. That is why we must strive to bear witness to the truth in charity, loving one another as Jesus taught us.” “It is not true, as some think, that world events have “escaped” God’s control. It is not true that history is written by oppressors, tyrants and the proud. Although many of the evils that afflict us are the work of men who have been deceived by the Evil One, everything is ultimately subject to the judgement of God. Those who oppress people, who make wars, what will their faces look like when they stand before the Lord? “Why did you start that war? Why did you commit murder?” How will they respond?” “We do not start wars and we do not kill”, said Pope Francis, but “when the Lord will say to us, “But why did you do this? Why have you been unjust in this way? Why did you spend money on your vanity?” The Lord will also ask us these things.” And in any case, the Pope continued, “The Lord gives us freedom, but he does not abandon us. He corrects us when we fall, but he never ceases to love us. If we wish, he picks us up so we can continue our journey with joy.”
The Solemnity of Christ the King is also the day when World Youth Day is celebrated, and at the end of the Eucharist, young people from Portugal presented the symbols of World Youth Day to the young Koreans: “You, young Koreans,” Pope Francis said, “will receive the Cross of Our Lord, the Cross of life, the sign of victory, but you are not alone: you will receive it along with our Mother. It is Mary who always accompanies us on our journey towards Jesus. It is Mary who in difficult moments is beside our Cross to help us, because she is our Mother, she is mum. Keep Mary in mind. Let us keep our gaze fixed on Jesus, on his Cross and on Mary, our Mother. In this way, even throughout our difficulties, we will find the strength to go forward, without fear of accusations, without the need for approval, based on your own dignity, with your own security of being saved and being accompanied by Mother Mary. Without making compromises and without spiritual make-up. Your dignity needs no make-up. Let us go forward, happy to live for others, to be in love, and to be witnesses of the truth. Please do not lose your joy!". (F.B.) (Agenzia Fides, 24/11/2024)
