Homily of bishop Domenico Sorrentino

We have heard in Paul’s words to Timothy how this should happen: with what care, with what concern, with what trepidation, because the Word is beset by snares. Of course, in itself it is greater than any worldly snare, but in the play of freedom, because it is a Word that reveals itself to us as a word of alliance. The Lord awaits also our correspondence, many times, always showing such patience in his divine pedagogy in accepting also our slowness. If everything, thus, depends on God’s grace, a great deal depends also on us, on our correspondence. For this reason the Apostle said to the son on whom he had imposed his hands and whom he designated as the head of the community: “Don’t lose heart, above all be faithful to the Word tat you have received, that you have welcomed” (cf. 2Tm 3,14), the Word that had passed through the witness of his family, of his community, the Word on which he builds his own existence and to which he is to show himself continually faithful, and at the same time the Word that is to be announced: “Don’t lose heart, insist in season and out of season, because the time will come when people’s ears will be itching for anything new and will turn to myths” (cf. 2Tm 4,2–4). Paul’s times, our times, times always the same, because it is the temptation of the human heart ever since sin blinded its eyes. The light of Him who rose from the dead comes continually to shatter this yoke of slavery, to break through the darkness, and to let into the darkness the light that saves. San Masseo should be a new light for Assisi. All the places in Assisi are this: they are this on account of the history with which they are impregnated, but they should become so all the more on account of the living testimony that vibrates in them. This is what I wish for you, dear brothers and sisters, this is what we are praying for.