Pope Francis smiles and waves at visitors gathered in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican after praying the Angelus June 18, 2023. Pope Francis, released from the hospital two days ago, also thanked the medical staff who had cared for him. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)
OFFICE FOR SOCIAL MINISTRY
“You do not need so much to be afraid of suffering misunderstanding and criticism, of losing prestige and economic advantages to remain faithful to the Gospel, no, but of wasting your existence in the pursuit of trivial things that do not fill life with meaning.” (Pope Francis, Angelus homily, June 25, 2023)
In his first public appearance since being hospitalized in June for major surgery, Pope Francis emerged in good health for his Angelus homily at St. Peter’s Square with counsel from Jesus — “Have no fear” — which appeared three times in that Sunday’s Gospel. Despite the many dangerous challenges in our world today, our Holy Father spoke of how Jesus encourages us to not let fear block anyone from living a life full of meaning.
Even with the ongoing religious persecution around the globe, the pope emphasized that Jesus is always present and continually calls all to bring forth courage in building a better world, while seeking peace and serving others, especially those most in need. “It seems paradoxical: the proclamation of the Kingdom of God is a message of peace and justice, founded on fraternal charity and on forgiveness; and yet it meets with opposition, violence, persecution.”
In discussing fear, the pope referred to the scriptural image of Gehenna. “The valley of Gehenna was a place the inhabitants of Jerusalem knew well. It was the city’s large garbage dump. Jesus speaks about it in order to say that the only one true fear we should have, is that of throwing away one’s own life.” In following the Gospel, Pope Francis challenged all to not get lost or waste time with consumerism and possessions that will eventually be thrown away. And at the same time, he asked all to follow Christ’s call to respond compassionately to persons who “often are considered the least among us and who are often treated like waste products and unwanted objects.”
The pontiff encouraged us to reflect on what causes us to be afraid: “What do I fear? Not having what I like? Not reaching the goals society imposes? The judgment of others? Or rather of not pleasing the Lord, and not putting his Gospel in first place?” He also urged us to accept Jesus’s invitation to enter the Kingdom of God through acts of service: “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ (Matt 25: 24-40)
Our Holy Father concluded his homily by calling Catholics to participate in the synodal process of the church — walking together with others, reflecting on what is most important in our lives, as families, parishes, and communities. He underscored the importance of encountering God through our relationships and how we respond to vulnerability in life.
After the Angelus, the pope expressed his deep sorrow for the recent killings of dozens in a women’s prison in Honduras: “I pray for their families. May the Virgin of Suyapa, Mother of Honduras, help hearts to open themselves to reconciliation and to create space for fraternal co-existence, even within prisons.”
Here in Hawaii, the Diocese of Honolulu is committed to accompanying persons in prison and those re-entering the community. Interested volunteers are asked to contact Deacon William Friese at wfriese@rcchawaii.org. The Office for Social Ministry also works with the Pu‘a Foundation and Going Home Consortium in providing transitional housing at the Mercy House, sheltering women released from the Women’s Community Correctional Center. If you would like to participate in this social ministry, there will be a special workshop sponsored by the Pu‘a Foundation that will focus on the needs of justice-involved women at the St. Stephen Diocesan Center, Aug. 2-3.
For more information, please visit their website at puafoundation.org. This summer, as we walk and talk story with others on our vacations and family travels, let’s ask ourselves what we really value most in our lives and the meaning of Christ’s Gospel call for all. Let us reflect and respond with love, not fear.
Mahalo,
Your friends at the Office for Social Ministry
