more clearly than that you die. "homilies should be avoided general and abstract, that mask the simplicity of the Word of God, and unnecessary digressions that might draw attention to the preacher rather than the heart of the Gospel message. It must be clear to the faithful that what is at heart preacher is Christ, who must always be the center of every sermon. "
are the words that Pope Benedict XVI has put on paper in the Post Synodal "Verbum Domini", published on September 30 last year. A serious warning to the homilies of priests. Would not have written words so clear and severe, if he had not had the perception of a bad habit rather widespread in the parishes. I was hoping that would be the right time to put up no more the usual sermon on the consumerism of the Christmas holidays. Nothing to do. I had to suffer the first essay in sermon of Cardinal Martini's Corriere della Sera . Then also in the press local this time to lay signature. And finally, in the parish, where a celebrant (fortunately not that common in my part) did not miss the usual refrain of anti-consumerism. What, with the excuse to make us win the true value of Christmas, more often makes us forget, reducing it to a fit of kindness, or worse, of moderation. The reasons for which, moreover, are almost never expressed in a convincing manner. "To be all better, do not eat, think, do good works." And why? And why just at Christmas? Because you become better, as we often hear people say? Just because it seems the answer to this hiding in the words of priests and, consequently, in the consciences of the faithful. The sermon on consumerism always works, even if not answered this question. In the end he says something true, just and acceptable. Why, then, take it just as fiercely with these recommendations? What would be their limit?
Their limitation is that you can hear anywhere. There is no need to remember Christmas as we are savage and monstrous consumers (not just during the holidays). Nor, a fortiori, there was a need for someone to be born and die on the cross to remind us a bit 'of moderation or some good work to put a good conscience. Much more has come to do. E 'come to discover the world the most beautiful and extraordinary to be: that everything is safe, everything is good, everything is beautiful. Evil does not win, it conquers death. Although it "seems" to win. And so that life is great. Pope Benedict told with beautiful words in his book Jesus of Nazareth: "But what has Jesus really brought, if not brought world peace, prosperity for all, a better world? What brought it? The answer is very simple: God has brought God [...] Now we know his face, now we can invoke it. Now we know the road that, like men, we must take into this world. Jesus has brought God and with him the truth about our origins and our destiny. Only our hardness of heart makes us believe that these are little. "
to say - and be credible - we need people who recognize it. And so - it is due, not proactive - make it visible in the joy that shines from their faces. The sermons on consumerism as well be left to those who have more to say. A priest may communicate something bigger, shelling eyes and hearts to the immensity of this extraordinary gift from God (even his son) and then yes, under this impulse, to invite us to give ourselves, the freer forms and creative. Only in this way raise in the perspective of gift by which all life is conceived, not just some money. And not just in some special time of year.
Moreover, c ome wrote Antonio Socci in recent days, the first Christmas consumerism is just what "two thousand years ago." A real Christmas gifts. On that occasion, gifts of joy came from the Magi from the East - paradoxically the least "social care": gold, frankincense and myrrh offered to those who perhaps had not even bread - even the poorest, the shepherds , they started to make a gift the little they had. What a nice reversal, reversal and that the dedication that only a great joy, and no volunteer force, they can offer. That day, two thousand years ago, there was to be happy, before good. Merry Christmas to all. Including pastors. My voice criticism, even constructive, it is not equal to the courage of their choice of dedication to God that I can not thank them one by one by the mere fact of being there.
Pino Suriano
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