I give you back for the end of the year: the praise that God appreciates is brotherly love

Vatican City

Giovanni Batista Re, dean of the College of Cardinals, read the homily that Pope Francis had prepared for the occasion, but which he could not preside over due to health problems.

Thanksgiving for the year drawing to a close

Cardinal Re underlined the reason for this celebration: “Tonight we are giving a space of thanksgiving for the year that is ending.” And he added that while it seems “forced, almost shocking” in the context of a year marked by the pandemic, even more, there are people who wonder: what is the meaning of a drama like this -this?

The cardinal insisted that we should not rush to answer, because “God’s answer follows the path of incarnation, as the antiphon from the Magnificat will soon sing:” For the great love with which he has given us loved ones, God sent his Son in the flesh of sin “.

Cardinal Re then presents these traits which are not those of God, the Father of Jesus and our Father: “A God who would sacrifice human beings for a great project, even if he was the best possible, is certainly not the God revealed in Jesus Christ (…) God is Father and Shepherd, and what shepherd would renounce just one sheep, thinking that in the meantime he has many more? No, this cynical and ruthless God does not exist.

Then, he reminds us of the characteristics of the God of Jesus: “God is Father”, Eternal Father, and if his Son became man, it is because of the immense compassion of the Father’s heart. “

Another characteristic of our God is compassion, for which he quotes the evangelist Luke (10, 25-37): The Samaritan, moved with compassion, leaned over the stranger, treating him like a brother, and took care of him. him, doing everything. possible. This fact makes it possible to rediscover at least one meaning of the pandemic: “that of awakening compassion in us and of provoking attitudes and gestures of proximity, of attention, of solidarity, of affection”.

It happens in Rome and in the world

“There are so many people who have quietly tried to make the burden of proof more bearable. With their daily commitment, encouraged by the love of neighbor, they realized the words of the hymn Te Deum: “Every day we bless you, we praise your name forever”. Because the blessing and praise that God values ​​most is brotherly love, ”said Cardinal Re.

“The same goes for health workers, nurses, volunteers (…) school leaders and teachers,” added Re, continuing: “But tonight, our gratitude goes to all who are families strive every day and their service to the common good in the best possible way ”.

This cannot happen without the grace of God

“All of this cannot be done without grace, without the mercy of God” insisted the cardinal, who stressed that it is almost natural for us to protect ourselves and our loved ones, however, “How is this possible , as so many people, with no other reward than doing good, find the strength to take care of others? What is it that causes you to give up something of yourself, your own comfort, your own time, of your property, to give it to others? “

The cardinal replies: Basically, even if they do not think about it themselves, they are pushed by the force of God, which is more powerful than our selfishness. This is why we praise him, because we believe and know that all the good that is done day after day on earth comes, in the end, from him. And looking towards the future that awaits us, we implore again: “May your mercy be always with us. We have hoped in you. In you we place our faith and our hope.”

On January 1, Pope Francis will celebrate the Angelus Prayer at 12 p.m. Rome time.