the feet of the Lord, but it is the Lord who washed the feet of the disciples (cf. Jn 13:120). This is a reason for scandal and incredulity, not only in that period, but in all ages, even today. The radical change Jesus brought about commits his disciples of both yesterday and today to a personal and community [self] examination. Indeed, even in our day it can happen that we harbour some prejudices that prevent us from seeing reality. But, today, the Lord asks us to adopt an attitude of humble listening and docile expectation because God’s grace often manifests itself in surprising ways that do not match our expectations. Together, let us think about Mother Teresa of Calcutta, for example. A tiny sister — no one took her very seriously — who went around the streets to gather up the dying so that they could have a dignified death. With prayer and her work, this tiny sister performed wonders! A small woman revolutionized charity work in the Church. She sets an example for our times. God does not conform to human prejudices. We must make an effort to open our heart and mind to welcome the divine reality which comes to encounter us. It is a case of having faith: lack of faith is an obstacle to God’s grace. Many people who have been baptized live as though Christ did not exist. They repeat the gestures and the signs of faith but these do not correspond to a true bond with Jesus’ person and his Gospel. Each Christian — all of us, each of us — is called to deepen this fundamental belonging, and try to bear witness to it with a consistent conduct in life, always motivated by charity. Through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, let us ask the Lord to melt the hardness of hearts and the narrowness of minds so that we can be open to his grace, to his truth and to his mission of goodness and mercy which is addressed to all, with no exception. Angelus Address given by Pope Francis on July 8, 2018 https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/angelus/2018/documents/papa-francesco_angelus_20180708.html Picture: https://www.thedivinemercy.org/articles/pope-francis-unique Coat of Arms: https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en.html I “ Ame I h “Today, My daughter, for your reading you shall take chapter nineteen of Saint John’s Gospel, and read it, not only with your lips, but with your heart… During this reading, my soul was filled with deep repentance. I saw all the ingratitude of creatures toward their Creator and Lord. I asked God to protect me from spiritual blindness. Jesus to St. Faustina
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjI2Mw==