Vatican City, 13 December 2015 (VIS) –
On the third Sunday of Advent the Pope opened the third Holy Door of
the Jubilee Year of Mercy. Following the Holy Door of the Cathedral
of Bangui in the Central African Republic on 29 November and that of
St. Peter's Basilica on 8 December, today he opened the Holy Door of
the Cathedral of the Bishop of Rome, the Basilica of St. John
Lateran. On “Gaudete Sunday”, the Sunday of Joy, Francis
reaffirmed that the reason for this joy is expressed in the readings
with words infused with hope and which allow us to look to the future
with serenity, as “the Lord has annulled every condemnation and
chose to live among us”.
This third Sunday of Advent draws our
gaze towards Christmas, which is now close, said the Pope in his
homily. “We cannot let ourselves be taken in by weariness; sadness
in any form is not allowed, even though there may be good reason,
with our many concerns and the many forms of violence that harm our
humanity. The coming of the Lord, however, must fill our hearts with
joy”.
The Pope cites the first reading of the
prophet Zephaniah, who taught that “in a historical context of
great abuse and violence, especially by men of power, God knows that
He will reign over his people, who would never leave them at the
mercy of the arrogance of their leaders, and will free them from all
anxiety. Today, we are asked not to let our 'hands grow weak' because
of doubt, impatience or suffering. St. Paul returns to the teaching
of Zephaniah and reiterates: 'The Lord is near'. Because of this we
should rejoice always, and with our affability give all witness of
closeness and care that God has for each person”.
“We have opened the Holy Door, here
and in all the cathedrals of the world. Even this simple sign is an
invitation to joy. It begins a time of great forgiveness. It is the
Jubilee of Mercy. It is time to rediscover the presence of God and
his fatherly tenderness. God does not love rigidity. He is Father; He
is tender; everything done with the tenderness of the Father. We too
are like the crowds who asked John, 'What do we do?'. The Baptist's
response was immediate. He invites us to act justly and to attend to
the needs of those in need. What John demands of his representatives
is already in the law. We, however, are prompted toward a more
radical commitment. Before the Holy Door we are called to pass
through, we are asked to be instruments of mercy, knowing that we
will be judged on this. He who is baptised knows he has a greater
commitment. Faith in Christ leads to a journey that lasts a lifetime:
to be merciful, like the Father. The joy of crossing through the Door
of Mercy is accompanied by a commitment to welcome and bear witness
to a love that goes beyond justice, a love that knows no boundaries.
For this infinite love, in spite of our contradictions, we are
responsible”.
“Let us pray for us and for all those
who pass through the Door of Mercy, that we may understand and
welcome the infinite love of our Heavenly Father, that recreates,
transforms and reforms life”, said the Pope at the end of his
homily.
Cardinal James M. Harvey, archpriest of
St. Paul Outside-the-Walls, also opened the Holy Door of the Basilica
today, while throughout the rest of the world, as the Pope had
requested, all the Holy Doors of churches and cathedrals were opened
for the Year of Mercy.
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