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GENERAL AUDIENCE: On the Parable of Lazarus by ZENIT Staff
Here is a ZENIT translation of the address Pope Francis gave during this morning’s general audience in St. Peter’s Square.
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Dear Brothers and Sisters, good morning!
Today I wish to reflect with you on the parable of the rich man and of poor Lazarus. The lives of these two persons seems to run on parallel lines: their conditions of life are opposite and altogether cut off one from the other. The front door of the rich man’s house is always closed to the poor man, who lies outside there, looking for something to eat from the table of the rich man. The rich man wears luxurious garments, whereas Lazarus is covered with sores. Every day the rich man banquets lavishly, while Lazarus is dying of hunger. Only the dogs look after him and come to lick his sores.
This scene reminds us of the harsh reproach of the Son of Man in the Last Judgment: “I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was […] naked and you did not clothe me” (Matthew 25:42-43). Lazarus well represents the silent cry of the poor of all times and the contradiction of a world in which immense riches and resources are in the hands of a few.
Jesus says that one day that rich man will die: the poor and the rich die, they have the same destiny, as do all of us; there are no exceptions to this. And then that man turns to Abraham, begging him with the appellation of “father” (vv. 24.27). He claims, therefore, to be his son, belonging to the People of God. Yet in life he showed no consideration to God; instead, he made himself the center of everything, shut-in in his world of luxury and waste. Excluding Lazarus, he did not take into account either the Lord or His Law. To ignore the poor is to scorn God! We must learn this well: to ignore the poor is to scorn God.
There is a particular point in the parable to be noted: the rich man does not have a name, but only the adjective “rich”; whereas the name of the poor man is repeated five times, and “Lazarus” means “God helps.” Lazarus, who lies in front of the door, is a living call to the rich man to remember God, but the rich man does not receive that call. Therefore, he will be condemned, not because of his riches, but for having been incapable of feeling compassion for Lazarus and helping him.
In the second part of the parable, we find again Lazarus and the rich man after their death (vv. 22-31). In the beyond, the situation is reversed: poor Lazarus is carried by the Angles in Heaven to Abraham; the rich man, instead, is plunged among torments. Then the rich man “lifted up his eyes, and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus in his bosom.” He seems to see Lazarus for the first time, but his words betray him: “Father Abraham — he says – have mercy upon me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame.” Now the rich man recognizes Lazarus and asks him for help, whereas in life he pretended not to see him. How many times many people pretend not to see the poor! The poor do not exist for them. Before, he went so far as to deny him the leftovers from his table, and now he wants him to bring him something to drink! He still believes that he can assert his rights because of his previous social condition. Saying that it is impossible to grant his request, Abraham in person gives the key to the whole story: he explains that goods and evils were distributed to compensate for the earthly injustice, and the door that in life separated the rich man from the poor, has been transformed into “a great chasm.” As long as Lazarus was at his house, the rich man had the possibility of salvation, by opening wide the door, helping Lazarus, but now that they are both dead, the situation has become irreparable. God is never summoned directly, but the parable puts one clearly on guard: God’s mercy to us is linked to our mercy to our neighbor; when the latter is lacking then the former does not find space in our closed heart, it cannot enter. If I do not open wide the door of my heart to the poor, that door remains closed, also for God. And this is terrible.
At this point, the rich man thinks of his brothers, who risk having the same end, and he asks if Lazarus can return to the world to warn them. But Abraham replies: “They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.”
We must not wait for prodigious events to be converted, but we must open our heart to the Word of God, which calls us to love God and our neighbor. The Word of God can make an arid heart revive and heal it of its blindness. The rich man knew the Word of God, but he did not let it enter his heart, he did not listen to it, therefore, he was incapable of opening his eyes and having compassion for the poor man. No messenger and no message can substitute the poor we meet on the way, because in them Jesus Himself comes to encounter us: “Truly I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me” (Matthew 25:40), says Jesus. Thus, hidden in the reversal of fortunes that the parable describes is the mystery of our salvation, in which Christ joins poverty to mercy.
Dear brothers and sisters, listening to this Gospel, all of us, together with the poor of the earth, can sing with Mary: “He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted those of low degree; He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent empty away” (Luke 1:52-53).[Original text: Italian] [Translation by ZENIT]
In Italian
I give a cordial welcome to the Italian-speaking pilgrims. I am happy to receive with particular affection the faithful of the diocese of Prato and Tempio-Ampurias, accompanied by their Pastors, Monsignor Agostinelli and Monsignor Sanguinetti, as well as the Mary Most Holy of the Bruna Association with the Archbishop of Matera-Irsina, Monsignor Caiazzo: I hope that your Jubilee pilgrimage will awaken in you the desire to become ever greater witnesses of mercy, to render your communities richer in faith and in missionary spirit. I greet the priests of the Russian Orthodox Church, guests of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity; the Redemptorist Fathers; the youngsters of the Oncology Section of the Child Jesus Hospital and the devotees of Saint Francis of Paula, Founder of the Order of Minims and Patron of Calabria, of whom this year we remember the sixth centenary of his birth
A particular greeting goes to young people, the sick and newlyweds. Dear young people, especially you Lazio students of the initiative “We Tell the Jubilee,” learn from Saint Francis of Paula that humility is strength, not weakness! Dear sick, do not tire of asking in prayer for the Lord’s help, especially in difficulties. And you, dear newlyweds, compete as the Saints in esteeming and helping one another.[Original text: Italian] [Translation by ZENIT]
Pope at General Audience: ‘To Ignore the Poor Is to Despise God’ by Deborah Castellano Lubov
The doors of heaven are closed to those who close their hearts to the needs of the poor.
Pope Francis reminded the faithful of this reality during his weekly General Audience this morning in St. Peter’s Square, as he continued his catechesis for the Holy Year of Mercy, turning to Jesus’ parable of the rich man and Lazarus.
In his address, the Pope criticized the rich man’s ignoring poor Lazarus. “The rich man,” Francis said, “didn’t give any consideration toward God, but rather puts himself at the center of everything, closed in his world of luxury and waste.” In his exclusion , the Pope stressed, he did’t take into account the Lord, nor His Law.
“To ignore the poor,” Pope Francis declared, “is to despise God.”
Lazarus, the Pope suggested, represents “the silent cry of the poor in every time and place” and “the paradox of a world in which astonishing wealth coexists with scandalous poverty.”
Tables Turned
In the second part of the parable, the Pope also discussed, we find Lazarus and the rich man after death, with the situation reversed: The rich man recognizes Lazarus and asks for help, while in life, he pretended not to see him.
“How many times do so many people pretend not to see the poor!” the Jesuit Pope said. “For them, the poor do not exist.”
The parable clearly warns, the Pope explained, that God’s mercy toward us is related to our mercy towards our neighbor. “When this is lacking,” he warned, God also won’t be merciful toward us.
“This is terrible,” Francis said.
How to Heal Withered Heart
To convert ourselves, the Pope explained, we should not expect miraculous events, but we must open our hearts to God’s Word, which calls us to love God and neighbor.
If one starts to listen to the Word of God, Francis explained, a withered heart can be revived and healed of its blindness.
“No messenger and no message will replace the poor we meet on the road,” the Pope stressed, “because in them we encounter Jesus himself: “whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me (Mt 25: 40).”
Pope Francis concluded, reminding those gathered of Luke’s Gospel, which recalls that the Lord fills the hungry with good things, and sends the rich away empty.
***
On ZENIT’s Web page:
Full Translation to be made available shortly
Francis Marks St. John Paul II’s Birthday Today by Deborah Castellano Lubov
During his weekly General Audience this morning in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis recalled that today marks the birthday of St. Pope John Paul II.
“Today, the day of the birth of Saint John Paul II, I cordially greet all the Polish pilgrims present,” Francis said in his remarks.
“I join myself spiritually to the President of the Republic of Poland, with the soldiers and participants in the Mass at the Polish cemetery at Monte Cassino in memory of the fallen, as well as to those who are gathered in Toruń for the consecration of the Shrine of Our Lady, Star of the New Evangelization and of St. John Paul II.”
Pope Francis prayed that these events for the Polish people are an invitation to pray for peace, for the Church in Poland, and for the prosperity of their country.
“Praised be Jesus Christ,” he concluded.
Pray for Ukraine
The Pope also gave greetings today to Slovak and Ukrainian pilgrims, saying, “I greet with special affection Ukrainian children, orphans, and refugees because of this armed conflict that still is going on in the east of the country.
The Pope concluded his remarks, praying, “By the intercession of Blessed Mary, I renew my prayer that a long-lasting peace is reached, one that may lift up this population, which has been so tested, and offer a serene future to new generations.”
Boethius’ Counsel: Time for Healing, Not Lamenting by Bishop James Conley
Here is the latest column from Bishop James Conley of Lincoln, Nebraska, reprinted from theSouthern Nebraska Register.
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On Friday, May 13, the U.S. Department of Education and Department of Justice issued a joint instruction, which they called “significant guidance,” to public school districts across the country. The guidance stated that in order to receive federal funds for education, every public school district must provide services, restrooms, and “equal access” to all students according to their stated gender identity.
The federal government has ordered that when any student and his parents tell the school that his “gender identity” has changed—if he was born a boy, for example, but considers himself a girl—the school must treat him, in every possible way, like an actual girl. The government declared that the boy who says he is a girl must be permitted to change in locker rooms with other girls, to stay in girls’ rooms on overnight trips, and, very often, to participate on girls’ sports teams.
This “guidance” is deeply disturbing. In fact, the administration’s action is simply wrong. It is wrong to deny the fundamental difference between men and women; and to teach children that our identity, at its very core, is arbitrary and self-determined. God created us male and female, and policies like this deny the basic beauty of God’s creation.
Related: What the US bishops said about Obama’s directive
Boethius, the 6th century Roman senator and Christian philosopher, was a thoughtful critic of disturbing trends he saw in Roman society. In his classic work, the Consolation of Philosophy, Boethius criticized those evil spirits “who slay the rich and fruitful harvest of Reason with the barren thorns of Passion. They habituate men to their sickness of mind instead of curing them.”
We are living in a time when ordinary human reason is quickly being replaced by “the barren thorns of passion.” Our entire culture has been caught up in a kind of sentimentalized and relativized tyranny of tolerance: we vilify and condemn, ever more quickly, any sense of reasonable and ordered social policy. We have a vague sense that endorsing certain fashionable kinds of social and emotional disorders—including transgenderism—is a mandate of justice, or a victory for civil rights.
But the real victims of our culture of relativism are those who suffer from serious problems, and who need compassionate help. Pathological confusion about one’s own identity is a kind of illness. It brings tremendous personal and emotional difficulties. Transgenderism cries out for compassionate assistance. Pope Francis says that “acceptance of our bodies as God’s gift is vital,” and “valuing one’s own body in its femininity or masculinity is necessary” for authentic human freedom.
But, as Boethius wrote, we “habituate men to their sickness, instead of curing them.”
Children and parents in very difficult situations deserve compassion, sensitivity, and respect. The Church will continue to make every effort to assist those suffering gender dysphoria; in fact, we can improve our efforts in this regard in many ways. But the Church will not deny that God created us male and female. We will not confuse respect and compassion with capitulation to a tragic delusion. Our Catholic schools will continue to teach and live the truth, because of our care for every student. We can only help students grow in holiness when we help them to live in accord with the truth. We will continue to do that, no matter the cost.
The Obama administration’s directive is a sign of the brokenness of our culture; of our lost sense of the common good, of individual goodness, of true freedom, real rights, and authentic happiness. Nebraska’s Governor Ricketts pointed out earlier this week that this directive is basically a kind of coercive opinion, which does not enjoy the authority of law. It is a form of bullying and, ultimately, it is a sad sign of how much we have lost our way; how little of the Gospel’s good news forms and shapes our culture.
This directive is a sign of a great tragedy: we are living in an atheocracy: a society determined to stamp out every vestige of God’s plan for mercy, and justice, and goodness. We are living in a society ensnared by the evil of relativism, to which human flourishing, in this life and the next, poses a threat.
The Gospel is a threat to the forces of this world. And in such a circumstance, there is a great temptation, for all of us, to withdraw into our families, into our Catholic community, into those places which we believe are safe, places in which we think we might be spared from the evil of this world.
But facing an evil world, Boethius wrote that “it is time for healing, not lamenting.” Boethius was right. Our culture is in need of healing. The victims of relativism’s dictatorship—those who are harmed by false compassion and tolerance for evil—need our help. Only we can be the leaders who stand up in the face of the storms. The Lord calls us to leadership, and so do the victims of the culture of death.
We are called to stand up—right now, we must be committed to carrying the healing mercy of Jesus Christ to this world. And the fight is not easy. We will not likely fight on a battlefield, in a glamorous blaze of glory. Instead we fight by claiming our nation for Christ, by forming Catholic culture that welcomes others to real freedom, by speaking—heart to heart—with those who are in need of Christ’s healing. We fight evil by praying, and hoping, to win every heart, every soul, every life, for Jesus Christ; as missionaries and disciples of mercy.
We also fight evil on our knees. We fight evil through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We fight evil by invoking St. Michael the Archangel. We fight evil by consecrating our nation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the fount of true mercy, and true peace.
All of us can read the signs of the times. We are living through a great trial and a great tragedy. Real people, about whom we care very much, are gravely harmed by the infiltration of evil in our world. We know that Christ will be victorious in the end. But we also know how urgently Christ is needed in this world. Only we can entrust this nation to Jesus Christ—especially his Sacred Heart– in our prayers. And only we can choose, in response to the urgency of the moment, to be active, joyful, faithful missionaries of Jesus Christ—declaring the Gospel, and inviting the world to mercy.
We live in a grave and serious time in history. But now is time for healing, not for lamenting.
New Church in Poland a Tribute to John Paul II by ZENIT Staff
“I thank the Lord for this newly built church,” writes Pope Francis in a special letter to Cardinal Zenon Grocholewski, the Holy Father’s envoy for the consecration of the newly built church in Toruń, Poland, today, the 96th birthday of St. John Paul II.
Construction began in June 2012; three years later on the 5th of September 2015, a brick was ceremoniously layed down at the structure’s foundations which was taken from the Basilica of St. Peter in the Vatican.
The Church of Mary, Star of the New Evangelization and St. John Paul II was built as a tribute and sign of gratitude for Pope John Paul II’s pontificate. Within the chancel there is a replica of the Vatican’s papal chapel. The icon of Our Lady of Częstochowa that stood in front of the late pope as he prayed there for many years has been placed inside this chapel. Below the church is the Chapel of Commemoration dedicated to martyrs. The names of Poles who were murdered as punishment for aiding Jews during World War II along with their relics can be seen on the walls of the chapel. The figure of Our Lady Immaculate has been placed in the center.
Pope Francis wrote in his letter to Cardinal Zenon Grocholewski: “I thank the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer for their efforts, and the charity of the Polish people in Poland and of course those Poles living abroad for their contribution in making all of this possible.”
As Cardinal Grocholewski ceremoniously opened the Door of Mercy, he encouraged the faithful to continue serving Christ by saying that “today we have a renewed reason to be joyful and the very ambitious name of this new place of worship parallels this joy.”
The Cultural Attaché of the Israeli Embassy in Poland, Anna Ben Ezra expressed her gratitude for the construction of the chapel inside the church which commemorates the Poles that perished while helping Jews endangered during World War II. Anna Ben Ezra underlined that the mission of the embassy is to honor the Poles that died trying to save the Jews that were in dire need, which is why the initiative for constructing the chapel was met with such joy and affirmation. The representative of the Israeli embassy also expressed her gratitude for John Paul II’s service and dedication for the betterment of Catholic-Jewish relations.
In a letter, the head of the Polish Bishop’s Conference, Archbishop Stanisław Gądecki wrote that “the consecration of the Mary Star of the New Evangelization church during our 1050th anniversary of the baptism of Poland and World Youth Day Krakow 2016 is significant.” Holy Mass that will accompany the consecration will be celebrated with around 400 priests and 40 bishops, along with thousands of pilgrims from Poland and from around the world.
[From the Polish Bishop’s Conference Press Office]
INTERVIEW: The Voice of the Soul: Andrea Bocelli (Part 1) by Włodzimierz Rędzioch
Andrea Bocelli spoke with Włodzimierz Redzioch of the Polish weekly “Niedziela,” The musician spoke of his childhood, career, music, faith, and his relationships with the Popes, especially with John Paul II.
Here is an English translation of the interview.
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Today, he is one of the most famous Italians in the world; everyone is delighted with his voice; more than 110 million of his CDs have been sold. And he was not supposed to be born – doctors had recommended to his mother an abortion as there was a risk that the child would be born disabled. But his mom did not listen to the doctors and continued this difficult pregnancy, which was further complicated by problems with her health. Thanks to the courageous decision of this Italian woman, on September 22, 1958, Andrea was born. He was born with congenital glaucoma, which affected his eye sight – at the age of 12 he completely lost his sight as a result of a heavy blow to the head during a soccer game. The young Tuscan lost his sight, but he did not lose the voice, thanks to which he made an outstanding career and became one of the most famous singers in the world.
Today, Andrea Bocelli has concerts all over the world; everywhere crowds of fans are waiting for him, but when he can, he returns to Lajatico, his home town in Tuscany. Here is the house where he lives with his family; here he is preparing for each tour and concert, also here he is preparing for the concert scheduled to take place on January 23 of this year in Poland at the Ergo Arena in Gdańsk.
Before his departure to our country maestro Bocelli gave me a special interview.
***
Włodzimierz Rędzioch – You were born in Lajatico, a small village on the hills, near Pisa, in the Valdera region. You spent your childhood among olive groves and fields in this wonderful land of Tuscany. Why today, when you become the “man of the world,” are you always coming back here, to your family home?
Andrea Bocelli – In the heart of Tuscany and among the purely peasant culture I have learned a hierarchy of values which have shaped my life, and which in a way I’m passing on when I sing. Therefore with the Lajatico and Valdera region, I’m connected with a very deep feeling. The more I travel due to my work, the more I want to go back to the countryside to find peace and recharge. Besides, in this part of Tuscany, I still have many friends and relatives, my mother also lives here. That’s why I’m coming back here whenever my work duties allow me.
Włodzimierz Rędzioch- Maestro, you mentioned your mother Edi. When in 1958 she was pregnant, doctors advised her to have an abortion, as there was a risk that the child she was carrying in her womb could be born disabled. This mother, however, said “no” to doctors and thanks to this you were born. What should this story tell the world in which parents at all costs want to have “perfect” children and in which it is so easy to have an abortion?
Andrea Bocelli- I revealed these details about my birth, to give a spark of hope and make a small contribution to the psychological support for all those women who for various reasons do not have the strength in themselves to defend life, which they carry in their wombs.
Włodzimierz Rędzioch- How did you discover that you have a great voice and how did you become one of the most famous singers of the world?
Andrea Bocelli- I was always told that I have a good and recognizable voice. But, I enrolled in vocal studies when I was already an adult. In my life, two meetings turned out to decisive: the first – with maestro Luciano Bettarini, and the second one – with great Franco Corelli. I managed to get famous after a long period of internship and many “closed doors.” To accomplish my life plan, I worked a lot with great dedication, imposed a strict discipline and tried to form as many good habits as possible. In the end, all went well. I hope that my story – told through the media – will be helpful to someone due to the message that it is carrying. Namely, that there are no dreams that are impossible to realize – it is important to believe that it will come true, pursue them with seriousness, honesty and humility.
Włodzimierz Rędzioch- Today’s world is becoming more and more secularized. Nevertheless you create a great interest in the audience with sacred music. How do you explain this phenomenon? Is man always in need of the sacred?
Andrea Bocelli- How you can skip the sacred dimension? Without it, our existence would be empty. A lack of the sacred would be a cause of despair; it would be a tragedy that was announced. For me interpreting the sacred is a form of prayer. Music is the voice of the soul, moving along the paths that penetrate the most intimate sphere of our psyche. Potentially, music can be a mystical experience.
English Summary of Pope’s General Audience by ZENIT Staff
Here is the Vatican-provided English-language summary of Pope Francis’ General Audience this morning in St. Peter’s Square:
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Dear Brothers and Sisters: In our continuing catechesis for this Holy Year of Mercy, we now turn to the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. Lazarus, lying outside the closed door of the rich man’s house, longs to eat even the scaps that fall from his table. Lazarus represents the silent cry of the poor in every time and place, and the paradox of a world in which astonishing wealth coexists with scandalous poverty. When both men die, their situation is reversed. Lazarus, whose name means “God helps”, is brought to the bosom of Abraham, while the rich man is in torment, thirsting even for a drop of water. Abraham has to explain to him how, in the mystery of divine justice, the mercy we seek from God is linked to the mercy we show to others. The doors of heaven are closed to those who close their hearts to the needs of the poor. Only conversion can open hearts to the truth of God’s word and its saving message, which, as Our Lady sings in her Magnificat, overturns the situations of this world by the triumph of God’s justice and mercy.
Speaker: I greet the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today’s Audience, particularly those from England, Ireland, Malta, Russia, Slovakia, India, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Canada and the United States of America. With prayerful good wishes that the present Jubilee of Mercy will be a moment of grace and spiritual renewal for you and your families, I invoke upon all of you
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GENERAL AUDIENCE: On the Parable of Lazarus by ZENIT Staff
Here is a ZENIT translation of the address Pope Francis gave during this morning’s general audience in St. Peter’s Square.
__
Dear Brothers and Sisters, good morning!
Today I wish to reflect with you on the parable of the rich man and of poor Lazarus. The lives of these two persons seems to run on parallel lines: their conditions of life are opposite and altogether cut off one from the other. The front door of the rich man’s house is always closed to the poor man, who lies outside there, looking for something to eat from the table of the rich man. The rich man wears luxurious garments, whereas Lazarus is covered with sores. Every day the rich man banquets lavishly, while Lazarus is dying of hunger. Only the dogs look after him and come to lick his sores.
This scene reminds us of the harsh reproach of the Son of Man in the Last Judgment: “I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was […] naked and you did not clothe me” (Matthew 25:42-43). Lazarus well represents the silent cry of the poor of all times and the contradiction of a world in which immense riches and resources are in the hands of a few.
Jesus says that one day that rich man will die: the poor and the rich die, they have the same destiny, as do all of us; there are no exceptions to this. And then that man turns to Abraham, begging him with the appellation of “father” (vv. 24.27). He claims, therefore, to be his son, belonging to the People of God. Yet in life he showed no consideration to God; instead, he made himself the center of everything, shut-in in his world of luxury and waste. Excluding Lazarus, he did not take into account either the Lord or His Law. To ignore the poor is to scorn God! We must learn this well: to ignore the poor is to scorn God.
There is a particular point in the parable to be noted: the rich man does not have a name, but only the adjective “rich”; whereas the name of the poor man is repeated five times, and “Lazarus” means “God helps.” Lazarus, who lies in front of the door, is a living call to the rich man to remember God, but the rich man does not receive that call. Therefore, he will be condemned, not because of his riches, but for having been incapable of feeling compassion for Lazarus and helping him.
In the second part of the parable, we find again Lazarus and the rich man after their death (vv. 22-31). In the beyond, the situation is reversed: poor Lazarus is carried by the Angles in Heaven to Abraham; the rich man, instead, is plunged among torments. Then the rich man “lifted up his eyes, and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus in his bosom.” He seems to see Lazarus for the first time, but his words betray him: “Father Abraham — he says – have mercy upon me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in anguish in this flame.” Now the rich man recognizes Lazarus and asks him for help, whereas in life he pretended not to see him. How many times many people pretend not to see the poor! The poor do not exist for them. Before, he went so far as to deny him the leftovers from his table, and now he wants him to bring him something to drink! He still believes that he can assert his rights because of his previous social condition. Saying that it is impossible to grant his request, Abraham in person gives the key to the whole story: he explains that goods and evils were distributed to compensate for the earthly injustice, and the door that in life separated the rich man from the poor, has been transformed into “a great chasm.” As long as Lazarus was at his house, the rich man had the possibility of salvation, by opening wide the door, helping Lazarus, but now that they are both dead, the situation has become irreparable. God is never summoned directly, but the parable puts one clearly on guard: God’s mercy to us is linked to our mercy to our neighbor; when the latter is lacking then the former does not find space in our closed heart, it cannot enter. If I do not open wide the door of my heart to the poor, that door remains closed, also for God. And this is terrible.
At this point, the rich man thinks of his brothers, who risk having the same end, and he asks if Lazarus can return to the world to warn them. But Abraham replies: “They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.”
We must not wait for prodigious events to be converted, but we must open our heart to the Word of God, which calls us to love God and our neighbor. The Word of God can make an arid heart revive and heal it of its blindness. The rich man knew the Word of God, but he did not let it enter his heart, he did not listen to it, therefore, he was incapable of opening his eyes and having compassion for the poor man. No messenger and no message can substitute the poor we meet on the way, because in them Jesus Himself comes to encounter us: “Truly I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me” (Matthew 25:40), says Jesus. Thus, hidden in the reversal of fortunes that the parable describes is the mystery of our salvation, in which Christ joins poverty to mercy.
Dear brothers and sisters, listening to this Gospel, all of us, together with the poor of the earth, can sing with Mary: “He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted those of low degree; He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent empty away” (Luke 1:52-53).[Original text: Italian] [Translation by ZENIT]
In Italian
I give a cordial welcome to the Italian-speaking pilgrims. I am happy to receive with particular affection the faithful of the diocese of Prato and Tempio-Ampurias, accompanied by their Pastors, Monsignor Agostinelli and Monsignor Sanguinetti, as well as the Mary Most Holy of the Bruna Association with the Archbishop of Matera-Irsina, Monsignor Caiazzo: I hope that your Jubilee pilgrimage will awaken in you the desire to become ever greater witnesses of mercy, to render your communities richer in faith and in missionary spirit. I greet the priests of the Russian Orthodox Church, guests of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity; the Redemptorist Fathers; the youngsters of the Oncology Section of the Child Jesus Hospital and the devotees of Saint Francis of Paula, Founder of the Order of Minims and Patron of Calabria, of whom this year we remember the sixth centenary of his birth
A particular greeting goes to young people, the sick and newlyweds. Dear young people, especially you Lazio students of the initiative “We Tell the Jubilee,” learn from Saint Francis of Paula that humility is strength, not weakness! Dear sick, do not tire of asking in prayer for the Lord’s help, especially in difficulties. And you, dear newlyweds, compete as the Saints in esteeming and helping one another.[Original text: Italian] [Translation by ZENIT]
Pope at General Audience: ‘To Ignore the Poor Is to Despise God’ by Deborah Castellano Lubov
The doors of heaven are closed to those who close their hearts to the needs of the poor.
Pope Francis reminded the faithful of this reality during his weekly General Audience this morning in St. Peter’s Square, as he continued his catechesis for the Holy Year of Mercy, turning to Jesus’ parable of the rich man and Lazarus.
In his address, the Pope criticized the rich man’s ignoring poor Lazarus. “The rich man,” Francis said, “didn’t give any consideration toward God, but rather puts himself at the center of everything, closed in his world of luxury and waste.” In his exclusion , the Pope stressed, he did’t take into account the Lord, nor His Law.
“To ignore the poor,” Pope Francis declared, “is to despise God.”
Lazarus, the Pope suggested, represents “the silent cry of the poor in every time and place” and “the paradox of a world in which astonishing wealth coexists with scandalous poverty.”
Tables Turned
In the second part of the parable, the Pope also discussed, we find Lazarus and the rich man after death, with the situation reversed: The rich man recognizes Lazarus and asks for help, while in life, he pretended not to see him.
“How many times do so many people pretend not to see the poor!” the Jesuit Pope said. “For them, the poor do not exist.”
The parable clearly warns, the Pope explained, that God’s mercy toward us is related to our mercy towards our neighbor. “When this is lacking,” he warned, God also won’t be merciful toward us.
“This is terrible,” Francis said.
How to Heal Withered Heart
To convert ourselves, the Pope explained, we should not expect miraculous events, but we must open our hearts to God’s Word, which calls us to love God and neighbor.
If one starts to listen to the Word of God, Francis explained, a withered heart can be revived and healed of its blindness.
“No messenger and no message will replace the poor we meet on the road,” the Pope stressed, “because in them we encounter Jesus himself: “whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me (Mt 25: 40).”
Pope Francis concluded, reminding those gathered of Luke’s Gospel, which recalls that the Lord fills the hungry with good things, and sends the rich away empty.
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On ZENIT’s Web page:
Full Translation to be made available shortly
Francis Marks St. John Paul II’s Birthday Today by Deborah Castellano Lubov
During his weekly General Audience this morning in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis recalled that today marks the birthday of St. Pope John Paul II.
“Today, the day of the birth of Saint John Paul II, I cordially greet all the Polish pilgrims present,” Francis said in his remarks.
“I join myself spiritually to the President of the Republic of Poland, with the soldiers and participants in the Mass at the Polish cemetery at Monte Cassino in memory of the fallen, as well as to those who are gathered in Toruń for the consecration of the Shrine of Our Lady, Star of the New Evangelization and of St. John Paul II.”
Pope Francis prayed that these events for the Polish people are an invitation to pray for peace, for the Church in Poland, and for the prosperity of their country.
“Praised be Jesus Christ,” he concluded.
Pray for Ukraine
The Pope also gave greetings today to Slovak and Ukrainian pilgrims, saying, “I greet with special affection Ukrainian children, orphans, and refugees because of this armed conflict that still is going on in the east of the country.
The Pope concluded his remarks, praying, “By the intercession of Blessed Mary, I renew my prayer that a long-lasting peace is reached, one that may lift up this population, which has been so tested, and offer a serene future to new generations.”
Boethius’ Counsel: Time for Healing, Not Lamenting by Bishop James Conley
Here is the latest column from Bishop James Conley of Lincoln, Nebraska, reprinted from theSouthern Nebraska Register.
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On Friday, May 13, the U.S. Department of Education and Department of Justice issued a joint instruction, which they called “significant guidance,” to public school districts across the country. The guidance stated that in order to receive federal funds for education, every public school district must provide services, restrooms, and “equal access” to all students according to their stated gender identity.
The federal government has ordered that when any student and his parents tell the school that his “gender identity” has changed—if he was born a boy, for example, but considers himself a girl—the school must treat him, in every possible way, like an actual girl. The government declared that the boy who says he is a girl must be permitted to change in locker rooms with other girls, to stay in girls’ rooms on overnight trips, and, very often, to participate on girls’ sports teams.
This “guidance” is deeply disturbing. In fact, the administration’s action is simply wrong. It is wrong to deny the fundamental difference between men and women; and to teach children that our identity, at its very core, is arbitrary and self-determined. God created us male and female, and policies like this deny the basic beauty of God’s creation.
Related: What the US bishops said about Obama’s directive
Boethius, the 6th century Roman senator and Christian philosopher, was a thoughtful critic of disturbing trends he saw in Roman society. In his classic work, the Consolation of Philosophy, Boethius criticized those evil spirits “who slay the rich and fruitful harvest of Reason with the barren thorns of Passion. They habituate men to their sickness of mind instead of curing them.”
We are living in a time when ordinary human reason is quickly being replaced by “the barren thorns of passion.” Our entire culture has been caught up in a kind of sentimentalized and relativized tyranny of tolerance: we vilify and condemn, ever more quickly, any sense of reasonable and ordered social policy. We have a vague sense that endorsing certain fashionable kinds of social and emotional disorders—including transgenderism—is a mandate of justice, or a victory for civil rights.
But the real victims of our culture of relativism are those who suffer from serious problems, and who need compassionate help. Pathological confusion about one’s own identity is a kind of illness. It brings tremendous personal and emotional difficulties. Transgenderism cries out for compassionate assistance. Pope Francis says that “acceptance of our bodies as God’s gift is vital,” and “valuing one’s own body in its femininity or masculinity is necessary” for authentic human freedom.
But, as Boethius wrote, we “habituate men to their sickness, instead of curing them.”
Children and parents in very difficult situations deserve compassion, sensitivity, and respect. The Church will continue to make every effort to assist those suffering gender dysphoria; in fact, we can improve our efforts in this regard in many ways. But the Church will not deny that God created us male and female. We will not confuse respect and compassion with capitulation to a tragic delusion. Our Catholic schools will continue to teach and live the truth, because of our care for every student. We can only help students grow in holiness when we help them to live in accord with the truth. We will continue to do that, no matter the cost.
The Obama administration’s directive is a sign of the brokenness of our culture; of our lost sense of the common good, of individual goodness, of true freedom, real rights, and authentic happiness. Nebraska’s Governor Ricketts pointed out earlier this week that this directive is basically a kind of coercive opinion, which does not enjoy the authority of law. It is a form of bullying and, ultimately, it is a sad sign of how much we have lost our way; how little of the Gospel’s good news forms and shapes our culture.
This directive is a sign of a great tragedy: we are living in an atheocracy: a society determined to stamp out every vestige of God’s plan for mercy, and justice, and goodness. We are living in a society ensnared by the evil of relativism, to which human flourishing, in this life and the next, poses a threat.
The Gospel is a threat to the forces of this world. And in such a circumstance, there is a great temptation, for all of us, to withdraw into our families, into our Catholic community, into those places which we believe are safe, places in which we think we might be spared from the evil of this world.
But facing an evil world, Boethius wrote that “it is time for healing, not lamenting.” Boethius was right. Our culture is in need of healing. The victims of relativism’s dictatorship—those who are harmed by false compassion and tolerance for evil—need our help. Only we can be the leaders who stand up in the face of the storms. The Lord calls us to leadership, and so do the victims of the culture of death.
We are called to stand up—right now, we must be committed to carrying the healing mercy of Jesus Christ to this world. And the fight is not easy. We will not likely fight on a battlefield, in a glamorous blaze of glory. Instead we fight by claiming our nation for Christ, by forming Catholic culture that welcomes others to real freedom, by speaking—heart to heart—with those who are in need of Christ’s healing. We fight evil by praying, and hoping, to win every heart, every soul, every life, for Jesus Christ; as missionaries and disciples of mercy.
We also fight evil on our knees. We fight evil through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary. We fight evil by invoking St. Michael the Archangel. We fight evil by consecrating our nation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the fount of true mercy, and true peace.
All of us can read the signs of the times. We are living through a great trial and a great tragedy. Real people, about whom we care very much, are gravely harmed by the infiltration of evil in our world. We know that Christ will be victorious in the end. But we also know how urgently Christ is needed in this world. Only we can entrust this nation to Jesus Christ—especially his Sacred Heart– in our prayers. And only we can choose, in response to the urgency of the moment, to be active, joyful, faithful missionaries of Jesus Christ—declaring the Gospel, and inviting the world to mercy.
We live in a grave and serious time in history. But now is time for healing, not for lamenting.
New Church in Poland a Tribute to John Paul II by ZENIT Staff
“I thank the Lord for this newly built church,” writes Pope Francis in a special letter to Cardinal Zenon Grocholewski, the Holy Father’s envoy for the consecration of the newly built church in Toruń, Poland, today, the 96th birthday of St. John Paul II.
Construction began in June 2012; three years later on the 5th of September 2015, a brick was ceremoniously layed down at the structure’s foundations which was taken from the Basilica of St. Peter in the Vatican.
The Church of Mary, Star of the New Evangelization and St. John Paul II was built as a tribute and sign of gratitude for Pope John Paul II’s pontificate. Within the chancel there is a replica of the Vatican’s papal chapel. The icon of Our Lady of Częstochowa that stood in front of the late pope as he prayed there for many years has been placed inside this chapel. Below the church is the Chapel of Commemoration dedicated to martyrs. The names of Poles who were murdered as punishment for aiding Jews during World War II along with their relics can be seen on the walls of the chapel. The figure of Our Lady Immaculate has been placed in the center.
Pope Francis wrote in his letter to Cardinal Zenon Grocholewski: “I thank the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer for their efforts, and the charity of the Polish people in Poland and of course those Poles living abroad for their contribution in making all of this possible.”
As Cardinal Grocholewski ceremoniously opened the Door of Mercy, he encouraged the faithful to continue serving Christ by saying that “today we have a renewed reason to be joyful and the very ambitious name of this new place of worship parallels this joy.”
The Cultural Attaché of the Israeli Embassy in Poland, Anna Ben Ezra expressed her gratitude for the construction of the chapel inside the church which commemorates the Poles that perished while helping Jews endangered during World War II. Anna Ben Ezra underlined that the mission of the embassy is to honor the Poles that died trying to save the Jews that were in dire need, which is why the initiative for constructing the chapel was met with such joy and affirmation. The representative of the Israeli embassy also expressed her gratitude for John Paul II’s service and dedication for the betterment of Catholic-Jewish relations.
In a letter, the head of the Polish Bishop’s Conference, Archbishop Stanisław Gądecki wrote that “the consecration of the Mary Star of the New Evangelization church during our 1050th anniversary of the baptism of Poland and World Youth Day Krakow 2016 is significant.” Holy Mass that will accompany the consecration will be celebrated with around 400 priests and 40 bishops, along with thousands of pilgrims from Poland and from around the world.
[From the Polish Bishop’s Conference Press Office]
INTERVIEW: The Voice of the Soul: Andrea Bocelli (Part 1) by Włodzimierz Rędzioch
Andrea Bocelli spoke with Włodzimierz Redzioch of the Polish weekly “Niedziela,” The musician spoke of his childhood, career, music, faith, and his relationships with the Popes, especially with John Paul II.
Here is an English translation of the interview.
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Today, he is one of the most famous Italians in the world; everyone is delighted with his voice; more than 110 million of his CDs have been sold. And he was not supposed to be born – doctors had recommended to his mother an abortion as there was a risk that the child would be born disabled. But his mom did not listen to the doctors and continued this difficult pregnancy, which was further complicated by problems with her health. Thanks to the courageous decision of this Italian woman, on September 22, 1958, Andrea was born. He was born with congenital glaucoma, which affected his eye sight – at the age of 12 he completely lost his sight as a result of a heavy blow to the head during a soccer game. The young Tuscan lost his sight, but he did not lose the voice, thanks to which he made an outstanding career and became one of the most famous singers in the world.
Today, Andrea Bocelli has concerts all over the world; everywhere crowds of fans are waiting for him, but when he can, he returns to Lajatico, his home town in Tuscany. Here is the house where he lives with his family; here he is preparing for each tour and concert, also here he is preparing for the concert scheduled to take place on January 23 of this year in Poland at the Ergo Arena in Gdańsk.
Before his departure to our country maestro Bocelli gave me a special interview.
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Włodzimierz Rędzioch – You were born in Lajatico, a small village on the hills, near Pisa, in the Valdera region. You spent your childhood among olive groves and fields in this wonderful land of Tuscany. Why today, when you become the “man of the world,” are you always coming back here, to your family home?
Andrea Bocelli – In the heart of Tuscany and among the purely peasant culture I have learned a hierarchy of values which have shaped my life, and which in a way I’m passing on when I sing. Therefore with the Lajatico and Valdera region, I’m connected with a very deep feeling. The more I travel due to my work, the more I want to go back to the countryside to find peace and recharge. Besides, in this part of Tuscany, I still have many friends and relatives, my mother also lives here. That’s why I’m coming back here whenever my work duties allow me.
Włodzimierz Rędzioch- Maestro, you mentioned your mother Edi. When in 1958 she was pregnant, doctors advised her to have an abortion, as there was a risk that the child she was carrying in her womb could be born disabled. This mother, however, said “no” to doctors and thanks to this you were born. What should this story tell the world in which parents at all costs want to have “perfect” children and in which it is so easy to have an abortion?
Andrea Bocelli- I revealed these details about my birth, to give a spark of hope and make a small contribution to the psychological support for all those women who for various reasons do not have the strength in themselves to defend life, which they carry in their wombs.
Włodzimierz Rędzioch- How did you discover that you have a great voice and how did you become one of the most famous singers of the world?
Andrea Bocelli- I was always told that I have a good and recognizable voice. But, I enrolled in vocal studies when I was already an adult. In my life, two meetings turned out to decisive: the first – with maestro Luciano Bettarini, and the second one – with great Franco Corelli. I managed to get famous after a long period of internship and many “closed doors.” To accomplish my life plan, I worked a lot with great dedication, imposed a strict discipline and tried to form as many good habits as possible. In the end, all went well. I hope that my story – told through the media – will be helpful to someone due to the message that it is carrying. Namely, that there are no dreams that are impossible to realize – it is important to believe that it will come true, pursue them with seriousness, honesty and humility.
Włodzimierz Rędzioch- Today’s world is becoming more and more secularized. Nevertheless you create a great interest in the audience with sacred music. How do you explain this phenomenon? Is man always in need of the sacred?
Andrea Bocelli- How you can skip the sacred dimension? Without it, our existence would be empty. A lack of the sacred would be a cause of despair; it would be a tragedy that was announced. For me interpreting the sacred is a form of prayer. Music is the voice of the soul, moving along the paths that penetrate the most intimate sphere of our psyche. Potentially, music can be a mystical experience.
English Summary of Pope’s General Audience by ZENIT Staff
Here is the Vatican-provided English-language summary of Pope Francis’ General Audience this morning in St. Peter’s Square:
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Dear Brothers and Sisters: In our continuing catechesis for this Holy Year of Mercy, we now turn to the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. Lazarus, lying outside the closed door of the rich man’s house, longs to eat even the scaps that fall from his table. Lazarus represents the silent cry of the poor in every time and place, and the paradox of a world in which astonishing wealth coexists with scandalous poverty. When both men die, their situation is reversed. Lazarus, whose name means “God helps”, is brought to the bosom of Abraham, while the rich man is in torment, thirsting even for a drop of water. Abraham has to explain to him how, in the mystery of divine justice, the mercy we seek from God is linked to the mercy we show to others. The doors of heaven are closed to those who close their hearts to the needs of the poor. Only conversion can open hearts to the truth of God’s word and its saving message, which, as Our Lady sings in her Magnificat, overturns the situations of this world by the triumph of God’s justice and mercy.
Speaker: I greet the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today’s Audience, particularly those from England, Ireland, Malta, Russia, Slovakia, India, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Canada and the United States of America. With prayerful good wishes that the present Jubilee of Mercy will be a moment of grace and spiritual renewal for you and your families, I invoke upon all of you
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