Pope's Homily_2016-01-28

POPE FRANCIS: CHRISTIANS MUST RECEIVE THE LIGHT OF GOD AND SHARE IT.

ØThe Christian is a witness to the light of God

«The mystery of God is light,» affirmed Pope Francis, commenting on the Gospel of the day (28/01/2016), in which Jesus says that light does not come «to be put under a bushel basket or under a bed, but to be put on a lampstand, to illuminate».

«And this is one of the traits of the Christian, who has received the light in baptism and must give it. That is to say, the Christian is a witness. Witness. A Christian who carries this light must let it be seen, for he is a witness. When a Christian prefers not to let the light of God be seen but prefers his own darkness, it enters into his heart because he is afraid of the light, and the idols, which are the darkness, please him more. Then something is missing in him, and he is not a true Christian. Witness : the Christian is a witness. Of Jesus Christ, the light of God. And he must place this light on the lampstand of his life.»

ØThe Christian is magnanimous : he loses in order to gain Christ.

«The Christian heart is magnanimous. It is open, always. It is not a heart that closes itself in its own selfishness. A heart that calculates : up to here, up to there…  When you enter into this light of Jesus, when you enter into the friendship of Jesus, when you let yourself be guided by the Holy Spirit, the heart becomes open, magnanimous… The Christian, at that moment, does not gain : he loses. But he loses in order to gain something. "Rid" of his interests, he gains Jesus, he gains by becoming a witness of Jesus.»

ØThanks to the priests who have given the light

Pope Francis addressed the many priests present at this Mass on the occasion of their 50 years of priesthood : «For me it is a joy to celebrate today among you, who are celebrating the 50th anniversary of your priesthood : 50 years on the way of light and witness, 50 years seeking to be better, seeking to bring the light onto the lampstand : sometimes it falls, but one sets out ahead once more, always with this will to give the light, generously, that is to say with a magnanimous heart. Only God and your memory know how many people you have received with magnanimity, with the goodness of fathers, of brothers… To so many people who had a somewhat darkened heart, you gave the light, the light of Jesus. Thank you. Thank you for what you have done in the Church, for the Church and for Jesus.»

«May the Lord give you joy, this great joy,» the Pope concluded, «of having sown well, of having illuminated well and of having opened your arms to receive all with magnanimity.»

Source: Vatican Radio, 2016-01-28.