by Nirmala Carvalho

The archbishop of Mumbai yesterday opened the Holy Door of the Basilica of Mount Mary in Bandra. During the homily, he recalled the origin of the feast of Divine Mercy, instituted by St. John Paul II. Pope Francis chose mercy as the theme of his pontificate. "Let us open our hearts to God's mercy, and then give it to others."

Mumbai (AsiaNews) - Christmas "is a gift of God's mercy. It is a powerful revolutionary feast. Those who have received his mercy can transform the family, society, community. Everyone can show his mercy, especially to those living in the peripheries, on the margins, excluded from society, because He first loved us with His merciful love. Mercy can change the world. We too can change others", said Card. Oswald Gracias, archbishop of Mumbai, who yesterday opened the Holy Door of the Basilica of Mount Mary in Bandra.

During his homily Card. Gracias spoke about the origin of the feast and its significance for the Catholic Church. "As we approach the celebration of Christmas - he said - we open the Holy Door of Mercy. Saint John Paul II has given impetus to the Mercy of God by establishing the Feast of Divine Mercy. This momentum continued into the pontificate of Pope Benedict XVI, who has echoed his predecessor with profound words".

Mercy, he continued, "is at the core of the Gospel message. It is the very name of God, the face with which he reveals himself in the Old Testament and fully in Jesus Christ, the incarnation of the Creator and Redeemer. "

After St. John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI, Pope Francis has also given a special value to the theme of mercy.

"Pope Francis - says the prelate - chose the Mercy theme of his pontificate. He wanted to share with us the memory of when he went to the Church of St. Louis to reflect on 'The Calling of St. Matthew' [several times Pope Francis spoke of his visits to Rome’s Church of St. Louis of France, home to the Caravaggio painting depicting the vocation of St. Matthew, in front of which reflected on his mission - ed]. It strengthened his determination to serve others".

Card. Gracias emphasizes: "Mercy is the deeper meaning of love, is the outpouring of God's love. The Magnificat Mary glorifies God's mercy." He adds: "Each of us needs mercy. Even the Annunciation was an act of mercy. The love of God is mercy. "

According to the archbishop, "it is important that we open our hearts to receive God's mercy and to give it to others. To reach the other we must be disciples of Christ's mercy, agents of the love and mercy of God for others. "

The cardinal concluded with a reflection on the coming of the Son of God, "who comes to us to give us the mercy of God. Jesus is the face of God's mercy and through the gift of the Eucharist, it is offered to us".

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