From the paschal mystery of Christ, the Church is born and presents herself to the people of her time with a small appearance, like yeast, but with a divine power capable of transforming the world, making it more human and closer to its Creator. Many men and women of good will have responded today to the frequent appeals of the Successor of Peter to shed light on the many consciences that wander in darkness in lands where Christ was once loved.
As the first Christians did, "what is truly important is to treat souls one by one, in order to bring them closer to God. 17 For this reason, we ourselves must be very close to the Lord, united to him as the branch to the vine18. Without personal holiness, apostolate is not possible; the living yeast becomes inert dough. We would be absorbed by the pagan environment that we often find in those who perhaps once were good Christians.
The First Reading of the Mass tells us that the high priests, the elders and the learned were surprised to see the poise of Peter and John, knowing that they were men without letters or instruction, and they discovered that they had been companions ofJesus19 . The Apostles are seen to be confident, without complexes, with the optimism that comes from being friends of Christ. That friendship that grows day by day in prayer, in dealing with Him.The Christian, if he is united to the Lord, will always be optimistic, "with a supernatural optimism rooted in faith, nourished by hope and given wings by love (...).
"Faith: avoid defeatism and sterile lamentations about the religious situation in your countries, and set to work with commitment, moving (...) many other people. Hope: God does not lose battles (St. Josemaría Escrivá, passim) (...). If the obstacles are great, God's grace is also more abundant: it will be he who removes them, using each one as a lever. Charity: work with much uprightness, for the love of God and of souls. Have affection and patience with your neighbor, look for new ways, new initiatives: love sharpens the wit. Take advantage of all channels (...) for this task of building a more Christian and more human society "20.
20 Holy Mary, Queen of Apostles, will enkindle us in faith, hope and the love of her Son so that we may collaborate effectively, in our own environment and from it, to re-Christianize today's world, as the Pope asks us to do. The words of the Lord continue to resound in our ears: Go into all the world.... Then there were only eleven men, now there are many more.... Let us ask for the faith and love of those.
Hablar con Dios