A thought on the World Press Freedom Day sponsored by UNESCO, which occurs on May 3 «a right often violated, we remember the numerous journalists and reports who are victims of wars and violence» said Leone and a greeting in the square to the Meter association which «For 30 years it has been committed to defending minors from abuse». The Angelus of this first Sunday of the Marian month, «throughout the Church the joy of finding ourselves in the name of Mary our mother is renewed», reminds us that «in the world of the Risen One what is most valuable is within everyone’s reachgratitude takes the place of competition. Welcoming erases exclusion, abundance no longer leads to inequality.”
The full speech
Happy Sunday. In the Easter season, like the nascent Church, we return to the words of Jesus which release their full meaning in the light of his passion, death and resurrection. What previously escaped the disciples, or caused disturbance, now resurfaces in the memory, warms the heart and gives hope.
The Gospel proclaimed this Sunday introduces us to the Master’s dialogue with his followers during the Last Supper. In particular, we hear a promise that involves us right now in the mystery of his Resurrection. Jesus says “when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself because where I am you may be too”.
The apostles thus discover that in God there is room for everyone. Two of them had experienced this since their first encounter with Jesus at the Jordan River, when he noticed that they were following him and invited them to stop at his house that afternoon. Also now in the face of death Jesus speaks of a house this time very large it is the house of his father and our father where there is room for everyone. The son describes himself as the servant who prepares the rooms so that every brother and sister who arrives finds theirs ready and feels always expected and finally found.
Dear ones, in the old world in which we are still on our way, what attracts attention are the exclusive places, the experiences within the reach of a few. The privilege of entering where no one else can. Instead, in the new world into which the Risen One takes us what is most valuable is within everyone’s reachbut this does not mean it loses its appeal. On the contrary, what is open to all now gives joy, gratitude takes the place of competition. Welcome erases exclusion, abundance no longer leads to inequality. Above all, no one is confused with anyone else, no one is lost.
Death threatens to erase the name and memory, but in God everyone is finally themselves. In truth, this is the place we search for all our lives, sometimes willing to do anything to get a little attention and recognition. “Have faith” Jesus tells us: here is the secret. “Have faith in God and have faith in me too.” Precisely this faith frees our heart from the anxiety of having and obtaining from the deception of chasing a prestigious position to be worth something.
Everyone already has infinite values in the mystery of God which is the true reality, by loving each other as Jesus loved us we give ourselves this awareness and the new commandment. Thus we anticipate heaven on earth, we reveal to everyone that brotherhood and peace are our destiny. In love, in fact, among a multitude of brothers everyone discovers that they are unique. Let us then pray to Mary, Most Holy Mother of the Church, so that every Christian community may be a home open to all and attentive to each one.
