2024-09-12 00:00:00
We present the official version provided by the Vatican of the address given by Pope Francis during the celebration of the Eucharist at the National Stadium in Singapore on September 12, 2024.
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“Knowledge fills with pride, and love increases” (1 Cor 8:1). Saint Paul gives these words to the brothers and sisters of the Christian community of Corinth – which was a community rich in multiple charisms (cf. 1 Cor 1:4-5) – to whom the Apostle himself, in his letters, often commends to nurture. communion in charity.
We hear these same words as we give thanks to the Lord for the Church of Singapore, which is also rich in gifts, which is alive, growing and dealing constructively with the different faiths and religions that share this great country with them.
Precisely for this reason, I would like to comment on the same words, inspired by the beauty of this city and the amazing and bold architecture that contributes to making it so famous and interesting, starting with the impressive complex of the National Stadium where we are. . And I want to do that remembering that, in the end, even at the foundation of this great construction – as at the foundation of any other project that leaves a positive mark on this world -, money is not in the first place, as many think. , nor technique, not even engineering – all useful methods – but in the end love, “the love that sustains.”
Some may think this is a naive statement, but if we think carefully, this is not the case. In fact, there is no good work behind which there are not, perhaps, wonderful, strong, rich, creative people, although they are always vulnerable women and men, like us, who have no love, no life, no impulse, no reason to act, no strength to build.
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My brothers and sisters, if something good exists and remains in this world, it is only because, in multiple and different circumstances, love has prevailed over love, solidarity over indifference, generosity beyond identity. If that was not done, no one here would have been able to grow such a big city, the architects would not have made projects, the workers would not have done work and nothing would have been possible.
So, what we see is a sign, and behind every work in front of us there are many love stories to discover. Stories of men and women united with each other in a community; of citizens committed to their country; of mothers and fathers who worry about their families; professionals and workers of all types and degrees, who are deeply involved in their various roles and tasks. And it is good that we learn to interpret these stories, which are written on the facades of our houses and the layout of our streets, and transmit their memory, to remind us that nothing permanent is born and grows without love.
Sometimes the greatness of our projects can make us forget this, trick us into thinking that we can be the authors of ourselves, our wealth, our well-being, our happiness; However, in the end life ends up returning us to the only reality, that without love is nothing.
Faith, therefore, strengthens and enlightens us on this certainty, because it tells us that it is God himself, who desires us with the Father’s heart and who has called us into the Father’s life, as the cornerstone of our ability to love and be loved to give us. in a way that is completely free (cf. 1 Cor 8:6) and, in an equally free way, that he has redeemed and freed us from sin and death, through the death and resurrection of his only Son. In Him is the foundation and fulfillment of all that we are and all that we can be.
Therefore, we see in our love an expression of God’s love, as Saint John Paul II said on the occasion of his visit to this world, adding an important phrase, such as, “that is why there is deep respect as a characteristic of love. for everyone.
Some important words for us because, beyond the wonder we feel at the works created by man, it reminds us that there is an even greater wonder, which must be accepted with even more respect and admiration. These are the brothers and sisters we meet every day on our path, without preferences or differences. The society and Church of Singapore bear witness to this, so ethnically diverse yet so united and supportive.
We are the most beautiful building, the most valuable treasure, the most profitable investment in the eyes of God, beloved children of the same Father (cf. Luke 6:36), called in turn to spread love. The readings of this Holy Mass tell us about this, which describe the same reality from different perspectives, that is, that charity is sweet by respecting the vulnerability of the weak (cf. 1 Cor 8:13), it is affirmed that he knows and accompanies those who feel insecure on the path of life (cf. Psalm 138), proud and beneficial to forgive beyond all calculation and measure (cf. Luk 6:27-38).
The love that God shows us, and invites us to practice, works in this way: “He responds generously to the needs of the poor, he is characterized by mercy for those who suffer, he is willing to provide hospitality . loyal.” in difficult times, he is always ready to forgive, to wait”, to the point of “responding to bless your divinity, this is the essence of the Gospel” (cf. S. . John Paul II. of Holy Mass in the Singapore National Stadium, November 20, 1986).
This can be seen in a large number of saints, men and women under the command of the God of mercy, to the point of being a reflection, an echo, a living image. And I would like, in closing, to mention two of them.
The first is Mary, whose sweet name we celebrate today. How many people his support and his presence gave hope on how many lips his name is seen and seen in moments of joy and pain! And this happens because we see in her the Father’s love expressed in one of the most beautiful and complete forms: that of a mother’s tenderness, who understands and forgives everything, and who never abandons us. That’s why we trust her.
The latter is a much-loved saint in this country, who received hospitality here many times during his missionary journeys. I speak of St. Francis Xavier, who was found in this country many times, the last of which was on July 21, 1552, a few months before he died.
We have a beautiful letter from him that was sent to Saint Ignatius and his first companions, in which he expresses his desire to go to the universities of his time “weeping like a man who has lost his mind, […] for those who have more letters than there will be, so that they feel that they have to be missionaries because of the love of their brothers, saying from the bottom of their hearts: “Lord, here I am, what do you want me to do do?” ” (Letter from Cochin, January 1544).
We could also do these words ourselves, following his example and Mary: “Lord, here I am, what do you want me to do?” May these words take us, not only in these days, but always, as a constant commitment to listen and respond promptly to invitations to love and justice, invitations that follow us today from God’s infinite charity.
Pope Francis
Pope Francis, born on December 17, 1936 in Buenos Aires (Argentina), is the first Latin American Pope in the history of the Catholic Church, accepting the papacy on March 13, 2013. His approachable style and emphasis which he has on mercy disappeared a distinctive mark of his pontificate.
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