Pope in Morocco: Taking part in the Father's love and compassion

At the closing mass of his visit to Morocco, Pope Francis reiterates that the task of Christians is to "witness to the gospel of mercy". The final greeting to King Mohammed VI and the authorities. "To persevere on the path of dialogue with our Muslim brothers and sisters and also to work together to make visible that universal fraternity that has its source in God".

Rabat (AsiaNews) - The "greatest legacy and wealth" of the Christian, is like in the parable of the prodigal son, "to participate in his own love and compassion," said Pope Francis commenting on the Gospel of today's Mass (4th of Lent, year C, Luke 15, 1-3.11-32). 

Speaking to the tens of thousands of faithful gathered in the "Prince Moulay Abdellah" Sports Complex, he outlined the possibilities for the commitment of the faithful in the life of the Christian community and in society.

Looking at the attitude of the father who "runs" towards the prodigal son and "runs" also towards his brother who does not want to "participate in the celebration", the Pope said: "At the threshold of that home, we can see our own divisions and strife, the aggressiveness and conflicts that always lurk at the door of our high ideals, our efforts to build a society of fraternity, where each person can experience even now the dignity of being a son or daughter. Yet at the threshold of that home, we will also see in all its radiant clarity, with no ifs and buts, the father’s desire that all his sons and daughters should share in his joy.  That no one should have to live in inhuman conditions, as his younger son did, or as orphaned, aloof and bitter like the older son."

"It is true that many situations can foment division and strife, while others can bring us to confrontation and antagonism.   It cannot be denied.  Often we are tempted to believe that hatred and revenge are legitimate ways of ensuring quick and effective justice.  Yet experience tells us that hatred, division and revenge succeed only in killing our peoples’ soul, poisoning our children’s hopes, and destroying and sweeping away everything we cherish".

"Jesus invites us, then, to stop and contemplate the heart of our Father.  Only from that perspective can we acknowledge once more that we are brothers and sisters...and see things in a way that does not downplay our differences in the name of a forced unity or a quiet marginalization."

"All that is mine is yours”, says the Father, including my capacity for compassion.  Let us not fall into the temptation of reducing the fact that we are his children to a question of rules and regulations, duties and observances.   Our identity and our mission will not arise from forms of voluntarism, legalism, relativism or fundamentalism, but rather from being believers who daily beg with humility and perseverance: “May your Kingdom come!.”

"Dear brothers," he concluded, "I want to thank you for the way in which you bear witness to the Gospel of mercy in this land.  Thank you for your efforts to make each of your communities an oasis of mercy.  I encourage you to continue to let the culture of mercy grow, a culture in which no one looks at others with indifference, or averts his eyes in the face of their suffering (cf. Misericordia et Misera, 20).  Keep close to the little ones and the poor, and to all those who are rejected, abandoned and ignored.  Continue to be a sign of the Father’s loving embrace.May the Merciful and Compassionate One – as our Muslim brothers and sisters frequently invoke him – strengthen you and make your works of love ever more fruitful."

Before the end of the Eucharistic celebration, the pontiff wanted to greet the Moroccan authorities, "King Mohammed VI for his invitation, as well as the Authorities and all the people who collaborated for the success of this journey".

Amid the chorus of joy and the greetings and thanks shouted by those present, the Pope reiterated the commitment of Christians to "universal brotherhood". And addressing the faithful, he added: "With these sentiments of gratitude, I wish to encourage you again to persevere on the path of dialogue with our Muslim brothers and sisters and to work together to make visible that universal fraternity that has its source in God. You can to be here the servants of the hope the world so needs ".

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