During his Thursday morning homily at Casa Santa Marta, Pope Francis offered a somber reflection on the state of the world. He said that while Christmas approaches, the world remains at war.
POPE FRANCIS
'A war can be justified â?? so to speak â?? with many, many reasons, but when all the world as it is today, at war â?? piecemeal though that war may be â?? a little here, a little there, and everywhere â?? there is no justification â?? and God weeps. Jesus weeps.â?
The Pope said that with the Jubilee of Mercy fast approaching, Christians should pray for a 'conversion of the heartâ? and that the world may come to realize the profound cost of war.
EXCERPTS FROM THE POPE'S HOMILY
(Source: Vatican Radio)
'Today Jesus weeps as well: because we have chosen the way of war, the way of hatred, the way of enmities. We are close to Christmas: there will be lights, there will be parties, bright trees, even Nativity scenes â?? all decked out â?? while the world continues to wage war. The world has not understood the way of peace.â?
'What shall remain? Ruins, thousands of children without education, so many innocent victims: and lots of money in the pockets of arms dealers. Jesus once said: â??You can not serve two masters: either God or riches.â?? War is the right choice for him, who would serve wealth: 'Let us build weapons, so that the economy will right itself somewhat, and let us go forward in pursuit of our interests. There is an ugly word the Lord spoke: â??Cursed!â?? Because He said: â??Blessed are the peacemakers!.â?? The men who work war, who make war, are cursed, they are criminals. A war can be justified â?? so to speak â?? with many, many reasons, but when all the world as it is today, at war â?? piecemeal though that war may be â?? a little here, a little there, and everywhere â?? there is no justification â?? and God weeps. Jesus weeps.â?
'It will do us well to ask the for the grace of tears, for this world that does not recognize the path of peace, this world that lives for war, and cynically says not to make it. Let us pray for conversion of heart. Here before the door of this Jubilee of Mercy, let us ask that our joy, our jubilation, be this grace: that the world discover the ability to weep for its crimes, for what the world does with war.â?
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