By Fr. Bernard Holzer, aa
On the feast of Saint Francis last October 4, Pope Leo XIV signed his first Apostolic Exhortation "Dilexi te – I have loved you" on love for the poor. It is a reliable guide for us in these times of confusion, violence, and fear.
With this letter addressed to each of us personally, Pope Leo XIV is encouraging us not just to pray for justice but also to act, and to risk our life. Here is a significant excerpt:
“All the members of the People of God have a duty to make their voices heard, albeit in different ways, in order to point out and denounce such structural issues, even at the cost of appearing foolish or naïve. Unjust structures need to be recognized and eradicated by the force of good, by changing mindsets but also, with the help of science and technology, by developing effective policies for societal change. It must never be forgotten that the Gospel message has to do not only with an individual’s personal relationship with the Lord, but also with something greater: “the Kingdom of God (cf. Lk 4:43); it is about loving God who reigns in our world. To the extent that he reigns within us, the life of society will be a setting for universal fraternity, justice, peace and dignity. Both Christian preaching and life, then, are meant to have an impact on society. We are seeking God’s Kingdom.” (97)
Let us take the time to read this luminous and demanding message, in line with Saint Paul's letters to the Christian communities of his time. Enjoy the reading and happy meditation with a renewed commitment!
Comments