Vatican City, 26 November 2015 (VIS) –
Following the ecumenical and interreligious meeting, the Pope
transferred to the University of Nairobi where he was awaited by
around one million people. He celebrated Holy Mass in the same place
as St. John Paul II during his trips to Africa in 1980, 1985 and
1995. “The Lord tells us that in the desert He will pour forth
water on the thirsty land; He will cause the children of His people
to flourish like grass and luxuriant willows. We know that this
prophecy was fulfilled in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at
Pentecost. But we also see it fulfilled wherever the Gospel is
preached and new peoples become members of God’s family, the
Church. Today we rejoice that it was fulfilled in this land. Through
the preaching of the Gospel, you too we have all become part of the
great Christian family”.
Francis commented that Isaiah’s
prophecy invites us to look to our own families, and to realise how
important they are in God’s plan. “Kenyan society has long been
blessed with strong family life, a deep respect for the wisdom of the
elderly and love for children”, he said. “The health of any
society always depends on the health of its families. For their sake,
and for the good of society, our faith in God’s word calls us to
support families in their mission in society, to accept children as a
blessing for our world, and to defend the dignity of each man and
woman, for all of us are brothers and sisters in the one human
family”.
“In obedience to God’s word, we are
also called to resist practices which foster arrogance in men, hurt
or demean women, do not care for the elderly and threaten the life of
the innocent unborn. We are called to respect and encourage one
another, and to reach out to all those in need. Christian families
have this special mission: to radiate God’s love, and to spread the
life-giving waters of his Spirit. This is especially important today,
for we are seeing the growth of new deserts created by a culture of
materialism selfishness and indifference to others”.
The Pope made a special appeal to the
young people of the nation: “Let the great values of Africa’s
traditions, the wisdom and truth of God’s word, and the generous
idealism of your youth guide you in working to shape a society which
is ever more just, inclusive and respectful of human dignity. May you
always be concerned for the needs of the poor, and reject everything
that leads to prejudice and discrimination, for these things, we
know, are not of God”.
He remarked that Jesus, “wants all of
us to build our lives on the firm foundation of His word. And that is
the charge which the Lord gives to each of us. He asks us to be
missionary disciples, men and women who radiate the truth, beauty and
life-changing power of the Gospel. Men and women who are channels of
God’s grace, who enable His mercy, kindness and truth to become the
building blocks of a house that stands firm. A house which is a home,
where brothers and sisters at last live in harmony and mutual
respect, in obedience to the will of the true God, Who has shown us,
in Jesus, the way to that freedom and peace for which all hearts
long”.
“Stand strong in faith! Do not be
afraid, for you belong to the Lord”, he concluded. “Mungu
awabariki! God bless you! Mungu abariki Kenya! God bless Kenya!”.
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