Pope appeals for kidnapped in the Syrian conflict. Corpus Christi, faith in Providence, sharing the little we have
Vatican City
(AsiaNews) - Driven by "concern" about the Syrian conflict that
affects "the unarmed population," Pope Francis recalled the
"scourge of kidnapping" and assured his prayers and solidarity
"for abducted persons and for their
families, and I appeal to the humanity of the kidnappers for the release of the
victims. "
At
the end of the Angelus with the faithful in St. Peter's Square today, the Pope
recalled that the civil war in Syria has lasted "for more than two years
... and especially affects the civilian population, that aspires to a peace
with justice and
understanding. This tormented situation of war brings with it tragic
consequences: death, destruction, significant economic and environmental
damage, as well as the scourge of kidnapping. "
In
the situation of insecurity and lawlessness created by the war, many
kidnappings have economic reasons, for ransoms, others seem to be motivated by sectarian
revenge or fanatical radicalism.
Among
the highest profile personalities to be kidnapped more than a month ago are the
bishops Msgr. Yohanna
Ibrahim, Syrian Orthodox bishop of the diocese of Aleppo and Msgr. Boulos
Yaziji, archbishop of the Greek orthodox diocese of the city. In
addition there are many missing, such as the Italian journalist Domenico Quirico.
The
Pope concluded his appeal by adding: "Let us always pray for our beloved
Syria," greeted by a long applause from the approximately 60,000 present.
Immediately
after the pontiff recalled: "This morning, I celebrated Mass with some
soldiers and relatives of some fallen in peacekeeping missions, seeking to
promote reconciliation and peace in the countries where so much fraternal blood
is still spilled in
wars that are always a madness. " And
quoting a phrase of Pope Pius XII, echoed by John Paul II, he added: "Everything is lost with war, everything is gained through peace." I ask
you to pray for the fallen, the wounded and their families. And
I ask you now, let's get pray together. "And silence spread across the square.
Previously,
the pope had emphasized the value of the feast of Corpus Domini, which
"asks us to convert to faith in Providence, to share the little that we
are and that we have, and to never close in on ourselves." The
feast was celebrated in the Vatican last Thursday, but in Italy and other
countries is celebrated on Sunday, today.
Francis
commented on the Gospel of the feast, the miracle of the loaves (Luke 9,
11-17).
"Jesus
- he said - is concerned about the people who have been with him for so many
hours: in the thousands, and they are hungry. What to do? Even the disciples
are discussing the problem, and they said to Jesus," Send the crowd,
"to go into the neighboring
villages to find food. Instead, Jesus says, "You give them something to
eat" (v. 13). The disciples were baffled, and they said, "We have
only five loaves and two fish," as if to say just enough for us.
Jesus
knows what to do, but wants to involve his disciples, he wants to educate them.
The
disciples, have a human attitude, they look for the most realistic solution, one
that does not create too many problems: Send the crowd away so they take care
of themselves, after all you have already done so much for them: you preached,
you healed the sick .. .
Jesus'
attitude is distinctly different, and is dictated by his union with the Father
and compassion for the people, but also by the desire to give a message to his disciples.
Before those
five loaves, Jesus thinks: This is providence! From this
little, God can meet the needs of all. Jesus
totally trusts the heavenly Father, he knows that for Him all things are
possible. So
he tells the disciples to get the people to sit down in groups of fifty - this is
not accidental: this means that they are no longer a crowd, but they become
community, nourished by the bread of God.
Then, he takes the loaves and fishes, raises his eyes to heaven,
for the blessing - this is a clear reference to the Eucharist - and then breaks
them and begins to give them to the disciples, and the disciples begin to
distribute bread and fish ... and they never stop! This
is the miracle: more than a multiplication, it is a sharing, animated by faith
and prayer. They
all ate and there was some left over: This was a sign of Jesus, the bread of
God for humanity.
The
disciples saw, but did not grasp the message well. They were
caught up, like the crowd, in the enthusiasm of success. Once
again, they followed human logic and not that of God, that of service, love and
faith. "
"The
Feast of Corpus Christi - he concluded - asks us to convert to faith in
Providence, to share the little that we are and that we have, and not to close
into ourselves ever. Let us ask our Mother Mary to help us in this conversion,
so that we may truly
follow, more and more, that Jesus we worship in the Eucharist. "
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