Archivio SCRITTI EN

Sierre (CH), 4 August 1983 A spiritual message on the always new discovery of the importance of love of neighbour. Today I'd like to speak to you again about love of neighbour.What should our love be like, if it is to meet Jesus' expectations? We know: we must be ready to give our life for each and every neighbour. Heroic love, therefore, nothing less! This is love: "...as I have loved you." With this kind of love, we in the Focolare can become saints and make our lives a Holy Journey. (...) Text Audio in italian

Rocca di Papa, Good Friday, 12 April 1968 An historical talk because of the great echo it had among the young people, the “Gen”. Arousing a lifestyle which has now spread throughout the world. Among the many things, perhaps one of the smallest, that the Lord made me understand - since it is now approved by the Church I can say that it was an inspiration – is that intuition of the rainbow. I remember when it happened. It was in 1954. At a certain point the Lord made me understand that the love we had in our heart urged us to do various things, different things. All these things were expressions of love (...) Transcription Audio in italian

Rome, May 25, 1983 Commentary of the Word of Life: The whole law is summed up in a single commandment, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself’ (Gal. 5:14)1. This was said by the Apostle Paul. It is brief, wonderful, incisive, clarifying. It tells us what should be the foundation of our Christian behaviour and what should always be our inspiration: love for our neighbour. The Apostle sees the fulfilment of the law in the practice of this commandment. The law tells us not to commit adultery, not to kill, not to steal, not to covet... and we know that someone who loves does not do all this. Someone who loves does not kill, does not steal ... The whole law is summed up in a single commandment, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself’. Someone who loves does not just avoid evil. Those who love are open to others, desire what is good, do what is right, giving themselves: to the point of giving their life for the person loved.

Rome, 1950 «In patientia vestra possidebitis animas vestras». “By patience you will possess your souls” (Lc 21, 19)1 .With these words Jesus teaches us to live well the present moment of our life: to live it profoundly, perfectly and fully. This is what counts in Christianity: doing things well.Indeed, proverbial human wisdom says, “A job well begun is a job half done.” It is good, but does not apply to everyone. Instead, divine wisdom says: “The one who endures to the end will be saved” (Mt 10:22). The Lord knows that everyone, except Mary, had a bad beginning as a result of original sin. He had good reasons to become man to save us. What is important, though, is that we finish well, that we prepare ourselves for that moment on which our eternity depends.The Lord teaches us to conduct our affairs well, to apply ourselves to all that we must do in life, with that patient love which knows how to suffer well, that maintains control of our soul, so

Marino (Ice Arena), May 10, 1997 I’m Elisa from the United States.“People in my neighbourhood tend to stay closed in themselves and in their own little world. They never stop to speak with others and they live in great loneliness and individualism. Our parents tell us that it wasn’t like this when they were young. What can we young people do in our neighbourhoods and all over the world, so that people can really be united?” Chiara: I think you should bring ahead that revolution of love you have already begun and which you are expressing here through your words, your dances and your experiences.Of course, this revolution involves a special kind of love; a love that has particular qualities. For example, you need to love everyone. So it shouldn't matter whether that person is ugly, beautiful, fair-skinned, dark-skinned, old or young. You've got to love everyone, all those around you, at home, at school, everyone, everyone, everyone.Then, this love has another quality: you must be the first to love. Don't

Rome, April 25, 1990 Commentary of the Word of Life: But if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God’s approval (1 Pt 2:20). The apostle Peter is showing his communities the true spirit of the Gospel in its practical applications. In particular he refers to each person’s circumstances and position in life.Here he is speaking to slaves who had converted to the faith and who, like all slaves in society at that period, were sometimes subject to totally unjust ill-treatment and lack of understanding. These words also extend to all those in any time and place who find they must endure a lack of understanding and injustice at the hands of their neighbours, whether superiors or equals. But if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God’s approval. Peter advises them not to give in to the instinctive reactions that such situations provoke, but to do what Jesus would do. He urges them to respond with love and to see such