On the first Sunday dedicated to the Word of God, Pope Francis celebrated Mass in the Vatican, with very significant gestures.
For instance, the same lectern used during the Second Vatican Council was used. Following the readings, the Gospel book was enthroned before the altar.
In his homily, the pope reflected on Jesus' way of teaching. He said the long-awaited Messiah began his teaching far from Jerusalem. Thus, he showed that Jesus, the Word of God, doesn't meet people where they feel confident, but rather, where there is doubt and confusion, to offer a way out.
POPE FRANCIS
The Word that saves does not go looking for well-preserved, clean, safe places. It comes into our complexities, into our darkness. Today, as then, God desires to visit those places where we think He doesn't go.
The pope also said the help Jesus offers can be rejected out of the fear of facing oneself in the dark places of one's personal life
POPE FRANCIS
How many times are we the ones who close the door, preferring to hide our confusion, our darkness and falsehoods. We seal them inside ourselves, while we go to the Lord with some formal prayer, being careful not to let his truth shake us inside. This is hidden hypocrisy.
After the celebration, the pope personally gave Bibles to 60 people from different walks of life.
Among them were Italian scientist Antonino Zichichi and Rome's mid-fielder Nicolò Zaniolo, a promising player in Italian soccer.
Javier Romero
Translation: Claudia Torres
