For pope, dialogue is "an expression of the great need for God's love"
About 100,000 people gathered today for Pope Francis’ jubilee audience on how dialogue “breaks down the walls of divisions and misunderstandings, builds bridges of communication, and does not allow anyone to turn inward into his or her own world” but “invites us to stand before others seeing them as a gift of God”. “The Church too lives of dialogue with the men and women of every age, to understand the needs that are at the heart of every person and contribute to achieving the common good.”
Vatican City (AsiaNews) – Pope Francis spoke today in his special audience for the Jubilee Year of Mercy before an assembled crowd of 100,000.
"All forms of dialogue are an expression of the great need of love for God who reaches out to everyone and in everybody he puts a seed of his goodness, so that he or she can help in his creative work."
Such dialogue "breaks down the walls of divisions and misunderstandings, builds bridges of communication, and does not allow anyone to turn inward into his or her world,” but “invites us to stand before others seeing them as a gift of God".
For the pontiff, dialogue involves listening to and not abusing others. Dialogue is needed in every environment, from the family to society, to the Church. He was inspired by the passage in the Gospel of John that recounts Jesus' encounter with a Samaritan woman. "What is striking about this meeting,” the pope said, “is the close dialogue between the woman and Jesus. This now allows us to point out a very important aspect of mercy, which is precisely dialogue. Dialogue allows people to know and understand the needs of each other.
“First of all, it is a sign of great respect, because it puts people in an attitude of listening and in a position of incorporating the best aspects of their interlocutor. Secondly, dialogue is an expression of charity, because, whilst not ignoring differences, it can help one find and share the common good. In addition, dialogue invites us to stand before others seeing him or her as a gift from God, who challenges us and asks us to be recognised."
"Many times we do not meet our brothers and sisters, even though we live close to them, especially when we impose our position on others. We do not engage in dialogue when we do not listen enough or tend to disrupt each other to prove ourselves right. But how many times, how many times, when we listen to someone, do we stop [and say], ‘No! No! It is not like that!’, and we do not let the person finish explaining what he or she wants to say. This prevents dialogue, this is aggression. Instead, true dialogue requires moments of silence to seize the extraordinary gift of the presence of God in one’s brother or sister."
"Dear brothers and sisters, dialogue helps people humanise relationships and overcome misunderstandings. There is so much need for dialogue in our families, and how easier it would be to settle issues if we learnt to listen to each other! This is how it is in the relationship between husband and wife, and between parents and children. How much help can also come from dialogue between teachers and their pupils, or between managers and workers, to find out what is most needed in work.
“The Church too lives of dialogue with the men and women of every age, to understand the needs that are at the heart of every person and contribute to achieving the common good. Let us think of the great gift of creation and the responsibility we all have to protect our common home. Dialogue on such a central issue is an inescapable requirement. Let us think of the dialogue between religions, to discover the profound truth of their mission among men and women, and contribute to building peace and a network of respect and fraternity (cf. Laudato si’, 201) ".
"Finally, all forms of dialogue are an expression of the great need of love for God who reaches out to everyone and in everybody puts a seed of his goodness, so that he or she can help in his creative work. Dialogue breaks down the walls of divisions and misunderstandings, builds bridges of communication, and does not allow anyone to turn inward into his or her world. Do not forget that dialogue is listening to what others tell me, and humbly say what I think. If things went this way, the family, the neighbourhood, the workplace, would be better. But if I do not let others say everything that is in their heart and I start to shout – today there is a lot of shouting – the relationship between us will not succeed, the relationship between husband and wife, between parents and children, will not work. Listening, explaining, gently, not barking at each other, not shouting: open heart."
"Jesus knew well what was in the heart of the Samaritan woman, a great sinner; nevertheless, he did prevent her from expressing herself; he let her speak until the end, and gradually entered into the mystery of her life. This teaching applies to us as well. Through dialogue, we can develop the signs of God's mercy and make them tools of acceptance and respect."
As he greeted Polish pilgrims, Pope Francis noted that today is the liturgical memorial of Saint John Paul II. "Dear sisters and brothers,” he said, “exactly 38 ago, almost to the hour, in this Square, words addressed to men and women around the world echoed: ‘Do not be afraid! (...) Open, open wide the doors for Christ’.”
“At the beginning of his pontificate, John Paul II, a pope of deep spirituality, shaped by thousands of years of history and the heritage of Polish culture passed on in the spirit of faith from generation to generation, uttered these words.”
“For him, this legacy was a source of hope, strength and courage, with which he urged the world to open wide the doors to Christ. This invitation became an incessant proclamation of the Gospel of mercy for the world and for humankind, the continuation of which is this Jubilee Year.”
“Today I would like to wish you that the Lord may give you the grace of perseverance in the faith, hope and love that you received from your ancestors and preserved with care. May your great compatriot’s appeal always resonate in your hearts and minds to awaken in you the imagination of mercy, so that you may bear witness to God’s love to all those who need it."
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27/12/2021 14:43
