Francis's catechesis: ‘to detect the presence of God in smallness’
The pope’s health conditions remain stationary at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital. The text for his general audience was released today, from the Gospel passage about the presentation of Jesus in the Temple and the figures of Simeon and Anna, two elderly people who were able to “rekindle hope”.
Vatican City (AsiaNews) – Simeon and Anna, two elderly people who sang the "song of redemption" in the Temple are the two “‘pilgrims of hope’ who have clear eyes capable of seeing beyond appearances, who are able to detect the presence of God in smallness, who know how to welcome God’s visit with joy and rekindle hope in the heart of brothers and sisters.”
Pope Francis dedicated his weekly catechesis to this passage about the presentation of Jesus in the Temple (Lk 2:30) and these two figures worthy of imitation. Like last week, the pontiff’s prepared text was released today since he is still unable to lead the Wednesday general audience, after being admitted to the Gemelli Hospital for bilateral pneumonia.
The Vatican Press Office this morning reported that the pontiff rested well overnight. In their evening bulletin, the doctors treating him wrote that the conditions "remain critical, but stationary", without any other "acute respiratory episodes" and with "stable hemodynamic parameters".
From the hospital room, the pope "resumed work,” it was reported. In today's catechesis, Francis continued the first part of the Jubilee catechesis on "Jesus Christ our hope" dedicated to the infancy Gospels.
Dwelling on the episode of the presentation in the Temple, Francis notes that it was not an obligation for families in Israel, “but those who lived listening to the Word of the Law and wished to conform to it, considered it a valuable practice.”
“Mary and Joseph do not simply embed Jesus in a history of the family, the people, of the covenant with the Lord God. They take care of His growth, and introduce Him into the atmosphere of faith and worship. And they too gradually grow in their comprehension of a vocation that far surpasses them.”
Speaking about the Canticle of Simeon, he invites us to see in him a “witness of faith received as a gift and communicated to others; he is a witness of the hope that does not disappoint; he is a witness of God’s love, which fills the heart of man with joy and peace.
“Filled with this spiritual consolation, the elderly Simeon sees death not as the end, but as fulfilment, fullness; he awaits it like a ‘sister’ that does not annihilate but introduces to the true life that he has already foretasted and in which he believes.”
Anne, who is over 80, “celebrates the God of Israel, who has redeemed His people in that very child, and tells others about Him, generously spreading the prophetic word. The song of redemption of two elders thus emits the proclamation of the Jubilee for all the people and for the world. Hope is rekindled in hearts in the Temple of Jerusalem because Christ our hope has entered it.”
Meanwhile, in churches around the world, people continue to pray for the pope's health. Ideally, the rosary that is recited together every evening in St Peter's Square collects all their prayers.
Card Luis Antonio Tagle, pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelisation, led yesterday’s prayer.
Photo: Vatican Media
.png)
02/02/2015
02/02/2010
