"The value of a person does not depend on the role he plays, on the success he has, on the work he does, on the money in the bank; no, it does not depend on that, greatness and success, in the eyes of God, have a different yardstick : they are measured on service. Not on what you have, but on what you give. Do you want to excel? Serve ".
Pope Francis said this when commenting on today's Gospel.
"First of all, here is who to serve: those who need to receive and do not have to give back. Welcoming those who are on the margins, neglected, we welcome Jesus, because He is there. And in a small, in a poor man whom we serve, we too receive a tender embrace of God ", underlined the Pontiff.
“Our fidelity to the Lord depends on our willingness to serve. We know that this often costs money, because it 'tastes of the cross'. But, as care and availability towards others grow, we become freer within, more like Jesus. The more we serve, the more we feel the presence of God. Especially when we serve those who have nothing to give us back, the poor, embracing their difficulties and needs. with tender compassion: there we discover that in turn we are loved and embraced by God ”, explained Bergoglio again.
During the Angelus he recalled the people who are unjustly detained in foreign countries: "Unfortunately, there are various cases with different and sometimes complex causes. I hope that in the dutiful fulfillment of justice these people will be able to return home as soon as possible".
Finally, the Pope commemorated the 175 years of the apparitions in La Salette, France, "of Our Lady who showed herself in tears to two boys. Mary's tears" are "a reflection of Christ's pain for our sins and an appeal always present to entrust oneself to God's mercy ", said the Holy Father.
(Unioneonline / F)
