A passionate memory of Elia Oyek, patriarch of Antioch of the Maronites from 1899 to 1931 and founder of the Congregation of the Maronite Sisters of the Holy Family, beatified in Lebanon on 25 July. Pope Leo, with his summer break coming to an end – he is expected to return to the Vatican on July 27 – is following with apprehension what is happening in the world. And it takes inspiration precisely from what it is called «Father of Greater Lebanon» for having been «a man of dialogue and hope and a bright ecclesial, social and political point of reference»to return to talking about the Land of Cedars. He asks you to pray also with the intercession of the new blessed for obtain “the gift of peace for the entire people of Lebanon so dear to me”.
And then the harsh warning against the «the continuation and worsening of violence in the Holy Land, of which many civilians in the West Bank and Gaza have recently also been victims». Leone makes «a heartfelt appeal that let us return to negotiating a fair political solution, based on the equal dignity and equal rights of every human person, and to reject new military actions and unilateral decisions, in particular those that violate the respect and status quo of the holy places of every religious faith”. Broadening his gaze to the entire region, he renews «the appeal regarding the situation throughout the world Middle East, where an intensification of military operations has brought violence and destruction, putting the lives of numerous civilians at serious risk and worsening the shortage of drinking water and electricity.” His is an exhortation “from the bottom of my heart” addressed to “all parties involved” to suspend “the attacks” and reopen “urgently spaces for dialogue and diplomacy to achieve the much desired peace for the entire region as soon as possible”.
The Pontiff does not forget the populations suffering due to war throughout the world and asks that the Lord can “touch the hearts and enlighten the minds of those responsible, so that reconciliation and peace can soon be achieved”.
Then he recalls his closeness to Spain and France for the devastating fires of which they are victims and prays for those affected and for the work of the rescuers.
Finally, before greeting the numerous delegations present, he recalls the sixth World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly, «which has as its theme the words of the prophet Isaiah: “But I will never forget you”. Let us thank the Lord together for the gift that the elderly are for the Church and for society. And let us commit ourselves to respecting and enhancing their precious role and always guaranteeing them the right attention and assistance.”
Previously he had explained the Gospel of the day, that of Matthew which compares the Kingdom of God to a precious pearl and a treasure. «The parables suggest the surprise of those who find what they could not even hope for, to the point that selling or leaving everything no longer appears to be a sacrifice, but a gain». Leone explains that Jesus’ call is irresistible, it elicits a “ready response driven by desire”. A first aspect, therefore, is that “God is near and can be found: the encounter with his Kingdom is a turning point that does not narrow, but broadens life. If something must change now, it is for more possibilities, not for less.”
The second aspect is that the one who recognized the hidden treasure was «probably a farmer; the pearl, however, is recognized as of great value by a merchant, perhaps a traveler. Two other parables follow in which the protagonists are fishermen and a scribe expert in ancient and new things. There are others, then, in which the Kingdom can be seen in a woman who kneads the flour, in another who tidies up the house, in a king who plans war, in a man who designs a tower, in administrators who manage payments or investments, in shepherds and farmers. In short, the Kingdom of God reveals its priceless beauty on different paths, but calls everyone – men and women, young and old, poor and rich – to a profound renewal. Everyone can understand it and is attracted to it.”
And even today «the Church is a communion of people different in origin, culture, skills, level of responsibility, but all called to recognize themselves as “one” in Jesus Christ: He is the hidden treasure, the precious pearl, the net that gathers those who are missing. From the beginning, in fact, Jesus called and gathered around him people who, otherwise, would never have met.” As God has shown that “he does not show preference for people and that his election is predilection, especially for those who are small and rejected”.
Then, concludes the Pontiff, «all we have to do is ask for a gift, the same one invoked by the young King Solomon. It is the gift of distinguishing the pearl of great price, of knowing how to recognize the treasure that is worth selling everything for. While the consumer industry modifies our palate, always arousing new needs and then selling us answers that do not satisfy and sometimes poison the heartwe must learn to grasp what really matters, the treasure of the relationship with God which opens us to joy and helps us to live our relationships between us in the best possible way.”
