蜜桃交友

By Pope

鈥淔ree from fear鈥�: that is the theme of a 3-day meeting organized by the Migrantes Foundation, Italian Caritas, and the Jesuit-run Astalli Center for Refugees, to discuss reception structures for migrants.

The meeting is being held at the Fraterna Domus, a Welcome and Retreat Center near the town of Sacrofano, about 20 kilometers outside Rome. Consistent with his commitment to welcoming migrants, Pope Francis chose to open the meeting on Friday afternoon by celebrating Mass at the Fraterna Domus Center.

Do not be afraid

In his homily, the Pope focused on the readings chosen for the celebration, which he summed up in a single sentence: "Do not be afraid".

Pope Francis used the image of the Israelites at the Red Sea, in the Book of Exodus, to illustrate how we are 鈥渃alled to look beyond the adversities of the moment, to overcome fear and to place full trust in the saving and mysterious action of the Lord鈥�.

Free from fear

Turning to the Gospel of St Matthew, the Pope described the disciples crying out in fear at the sight of Jesus walking on the waters, and His response to them: "Courage, it is I, do not be afraid鈥�. Reminding his listeners that "Free from fear" is the theme chosen for this meeting, Pope Francis said it is 鈥渢hrough these biblical episodes that the Lord speaks to us today and asks us to let Him free us from our fears鈥�.

Fear of others

鈥淔aced with the wickedness and ugliness of our time鈥�, said Pope Francis, we too, 鈥渁re tempted to abandon our dream of freedom鈥�. We are tempted to 鈥渟hut ourselves off within ourselves鈥�, he said, 鈥渋n our fragile human security鈥�in our reassuring routine鈥�.

The Pope called this retreat into oneself, 鈥渁 sign of defeat鈥�, one that increases our fear of "others", foreigners, outcasts and strangers. 鈥淭his is particularly evident today鈥�, he continued, with the arrival of migrants and refugees 鈥渨ho knock on our door in search of protection, security and a better future鈥�.

Fear is legitimate

While recognizing that fear is legitimate, Pope Francis said it can lead us to 鈥済ive up encountering others and to raise barriers to defend ourselves". Instead, he continued, we are called to overcome our fear, knowing 鈥渢he Lord does not abandon His people鈥�. The encounter with the other鈥�, said the Pope, 鈥渋s also an encounter with Christ鈥�even if our eyes have difficulty recognizing Him鈥�. He is the one, said Pope Francis, 鈥渨ith ragged clothes, dirty feet, agonized faces, sore bodies, unable to speak our language鈥�.

Overcoming fear

The Pope concluded his homily by suggesting we should 鈥渂egin to thank those who give us the opportunity of this meeting, that is, the 鈥榦thers鈥� who knock at our door, and offer us the possibility of overcoming our fears, meeting, welcoming and assisting Jesus鈥�.

And those 鈥渨ho have had the strength to let themselves be freed from fear鈥�, he said, 鈥渘eed to help others do the same鈥�, so they too can prepare themselves for their own encounter with Christ.