As the participants of the World Synod of Bishops held a retreat on the outskirts of Rome, Bishop Poisson of Canada used the image of a child learning to expound on the mercy of God with open arms towards us in his homily at Mass on Sunday, October 1, and pointed out that the Church also Open your arms and bear witness to God’s love for the world.
(Vatican News) “The Church, with open arms like the Lord Jesus on the cross, bears witness to God’s love for the world.” Raymond Poisson, Bishop of the Diocese of St. Jerome-Montreal in Canada, said this to the participants of the Synod of Bishops who were taking a retreat during the homily at Mass on Sunday, October 1.
Bishop Poisson got straight to the point and used the image of a child learning to walk to illustrate our relationship with God: When a child learns to walk, he needs someone who loves him and loves him too, who opens his arms with his height to encourage him to move forward bravely, and who picks him up when he falls. Live with him and help him practice again and again until he learns to walk. “This is also God’s way of education.”
The Lord Jesus opened his arms on the cross, and we heard God say: “Go forward, go forward, don’t be afraid! Take steps!” Bishop Poisson pointed out, “In this adventurous journey of life, every time we fall, God is there. There to receive us in His merciful arms.” The way to life and salvation is always open.
Bishop Poisson then returned to the Gospel of that Sunday: although the son in the parable initially refused to work in his father’s vineyard (cf. Mt 21:28-29), his initial refusal was not important. What matters is “to believe the word of the Father and to change one’s life choices: to work in the vineyard from that moment on”. “God wants this attitude, this teaching of mercy that originates from Him, to be practiced among us all”.
“It is through God’s mercy that unity emerges and the world is transformed.” All this is possible in the Church “because this is how we learn to walk with people of all ages” and because brothers and sisters open their arms to us when we fall.
The Canadian priest concluded: “The Synod is like a school where we learn to listen to each other, a space where the Church listens to the exhortation of St. Paul, who exhorts you: ‘Have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had’ Mood.’ (cf. Phil 2:5) The Church opens her arms like the Lord Jesus on the cross, testifying to God’s love for the world.”
Link URL: www.vaticannews.cn
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2023-10-03 09:45:57
