Pope opens Synod General Assembly with Mass in St Peter鈥檚 Square
By Christopher Wells
Pope Francis鈥 homily for the opening Mass of the General Assembly of the Synod focused on the images of 鈥渧oice, refuge, and a child鈥.
In his reflection for the feast of the Holy Guardian Angels, the Pope recalled God鈥檚 command 鈥渢o listen to the voice of the Angel He had sent.鈥
Striving to understand the path
As the Church continues to journey along the synodal path, he said , 鈥渢he Lord places in our hands the history, dreams, and hopes of a great people,鈥 the Church spread throughout the world. He invited participants to 鈥渟trive to understand the path we must follow to reach the destination the Lord desires for us.鈥
In order to remove obstacles to the harmony intended by the Holy Spirit, the Pope continued, we must be open to the contributions of all, in order to hear the voice of God.
A welcoming embrace, a place of refuge
With the concept of refuge, Pope Francis said protecting wings of the angel of God becomes 鈥渁 symbol of what God does for us, and also a model for us to follow.鈥 The gifts of each one are a great richness to the whole Church; but at the same time, we must be willing to reach out to one another, offering one another 鈥渁 welcoming embrace and a place of refuge.鈥
鈥淭he more we realise that wear are surrounded by friends who love, respect, and appreciate us,鈥 he said, 鈥渇riends who want to listen to what we have to say, the more we will feel free to express ourselves spontaneously and openly.鈥
Like a little child
Finally, the Holy Father invoked the image of 鈥渁 child,鈥 like the one Jesus placed before the disciples, 鈥渋nviting them to convert and be small like him.鈥
The paradox of the greatest in heaven being that one who becomes little, like a child, 鈥渋s fundamental for us,鈥 the Pope said. Although the Synod necessarily deals with great and important issues, 鈥渋t is precisely for this reason that we must not lose sight of the child, whom Jesus continues to place at the centre of our meetings and work tables.鈥
Guided "by the breeze of the Spirit
鈥淏rothers and sisters,鈥 Pope Francis said in conclusion, 鈥渓et us resume this ecclesial journey with an eye to the world, for the Christian community is always at the service of humanity, to proclaim the joy of the Gospel to all.鈥
And finally, after announcing his intention to lead the public recitation of the Rosary on Sunday to implore the Virgin Mary for the gift of peace; and proclaiming a day of prayer and fasting the next day for peace in the world, Pope Francis enjoined the faithful to continue to 鈥渏ourney together,鈥 listening to the Lord and allowing ourselves 鈥渢o be guided by the breeze of the Spirit.鈥
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