In the homily prepared for the New Year’s Vespers, Pope Francis asks how we can thank God after such a difficult year. God, he says, always has compassion for us, and we are grateful for the acts of closeness, caring and solidarity we saw in 2020.
By the Vatican News staff reporter
Pope Francis, who suffered from an attack of sciatica, was absent from the celebration of the Vespers and reciting the Your gods – the Church’s solemn hymn of thanksgiving for the past year – but nonetheless offered a reflection on how we can give thanks for the year drawing to a close.
The liturgy was chaired by the Dean of the College of Cardinals, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, who delivered the homily prepared for the occasion by Pope Francis.
In his sermon, Pope Francis wrote that giving thanks “at the end of a year like this” may seem “forced” or even shocking, especially when we think of families who have lost loved ones, of the sick, of those who have. suffered alone or lost their job.
“What good is such a tragedy,” he asked. In light of our questions, he replied, God does not appeal to “higher reasons,” as if He were sacrificing individuals for a higher good. Instead, his answer is the incarnation, who sends his only son to become human to save everyone.
Like the Good Samaritan, God is moved with compassion and helps those who are suffering. And in this attitude, said the Pope, we may find ‘the’ meaning ‘meaning of this tragedy, of this pandemic, and of other plagues afflicting humanity: that of arousing compassion in us and of provoking attitudes and gestures. of closeness, care, solidarity, affection. “
We see this happening all over the world, and even in Rome, Pope Francis wrote, and “it is mainly for this that we thank God tonight: for the good things that have taken place in our cities during the closing and, in general, during the pandemic, which unfortunately is not over yet. “
Pope Francis praised the “many people who, without making a noise, have tried to make the weight of the process more bearable.” He chose not only health workers and priests and religious on the front line, but also “ all those who strive every day in the best possible way to continue their service to their families and those who are committed in their service to the common good. He mentioned especially teachers and school administrators, as well as social leaders who put the well-being of others, especially the most disadvantaged, above their own private interests.
“All this cannot happen without grace, without the grace of God,” said Pope Francis. “How is it possible … that so many people, without any reward other than doing good, found the strength to be concerned about others?” he asked. “Ultimately, even if they are not aware of it themselves, what gives them strength is God’s strength which is stronger than our egoism.” And so the Pope said, “For this reason we praise Him tonight, because we believe and know that all the good that is accomplished day in and day out in the earth ultimately comes from Him, comes from God. . “
The Pope concluded his prepared remarks by looking at the future ahead, praying, “May Your grace be with us always, Lord, for we have hoped in You.”