«Peace begins with dignity»: is the slogan of this year’s edition of World Day of Prayer and Reflection against Human Trafficking, that is celebrated today February 8th, feast of Saint Josephine Bakhita, Sudanese nun, naturalized Italian, who as a child was kidnapped and sold several times by slave traders, suffering first-hand the suffering and atrocious humiliations of trafficking and slavery. Pope Leo XIV remembered him, recalling the theme that animates the Day, immediately after the Angelus prayer, in front of the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square. According to United Nations data, the There are approximately 27 million victims of trafficking in the world today, especially women, children, migrants. “I thank the religious women and all those who are committed to combating and eliminating current forms of slavery,” the Pope said.
Today’s reading of the Gospel of Matthew follows the Gospel of the Beatitudes, explained the Pontiff overlooking the Apostolic Palace: «After having proclaimed the Beatitudes, Jesus turns to those who live them, saying that thanks to them the earth is no longer the same and the world is no longer in darkness. “You are the salt of the earth. (…) You are the light of the world.” In fact, it is true joy that gives life a flavor and brings to light what wasn’t before. This joy comes from a lifestyle, by a way of inhabiting the earth and living together that must be desired and chosen. It is the life that shines in Jesus, the new flavor of his gestures and words. After meeting him, anything that distances itself from his poverty of spirit, his meekness and simplicity of heart, seems insipid and opaque, from his hunger and thirst for justice, which activate mercy and peace as dynamics of transformation and reconciliation.”
In the first reading from the book of the prophet Isaiah, recalls Leone, the gestures that interrupt injustice are listed: «Sharing bread with the hungry, bringing the poor and the homeless into our homes, dressing those we see naked, without neglecting the neighbors and the people at home. Then – continues the prophet – “your light will rise like the dawn, your wound will soon heal”».
The Pope continues: «It is painful, in fact, to lose flavor and give up joy; and yet, it is possible to have this wound in your heart. Jesus seems to warn those who listen to him, so that they do not give up on joy. Salt that has lost its flavor, he says, “is of no use except to be thrown away and trampled on by people.” How many people – perhaps it happened to us too – feel like they are worth throwing away, wrong. It’s as if their light has been hidden. Jesus, however, announces to us a God who will never throw us away, a Father who safeguards our name, our uniqueness. Every wound, even a deep one, will heal by welcoming the word of the Beatitudes and setting us back on the path of the Gospel. In fact, they are concrete gestures of openness to others and attention that rekindle joy.”
Leone underlines that these gestures “put us against the current”. Jesus himself in the desert was tempted to follow the path of power, of affirmation of his identity, of exhibition. But he chose to reject “the ways in which his true flavor would have been lost”: that is, “the life given, the love that makes no noise”.
The Pontiff then urges the faithful to allow themselves to be “enlightened by communion with Jesus. Without any performance we will then be like a city on a mountain, not only visible, but also inviting and welcoming: the city of God in which everyone, ultimately, desires to live and find peace.”
After the recitation of the Angelus, the Pontiff recalled the beatification of Don Salvador Valera Parra, a Spanish parish priest, “humble and thoughtful in his pastoral charity”. He expressed his sorrow at the news of “recent attacks against various communities in Nigeria which have caused serious loss of life.” In recent days at least 51 people were kidnapped and six were killed during a series of attacks against four different villages in Kaduna State. The Catholic Archdiocese of Kafanchan has confirmed that a priest has been kidnapped. “I express my prayerful closeness to all the victims of violence and terrorism,” said Pope Leo. Who then assured his prayer also for populations in Portugal, Morocco, Spain and southern Italy, affected by floods and landslides, encouraging “communities to remain united and supportive”.
Finally, another strong, heartfelt call for peace: «Let us continue to pray for peace. The strategies of economic and military power, history teaches us, do not give humanity a future. The future lies in respect and brotherhood between peoples.”
