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Bruxelles, April 1, 1977 “Leave only the Gospel to those who follow you” (December 1972). This interview strongly echoes the inner calling of Jesus. Question:    Chiara, according to you what does it mean to love somebody?" Chiara: To love somebody does not mean sentimentalism. To love somebody means to do to others what we would like others to do to us, and this is the Gospel. If, for example, I have a suffering, I want to be consoled; if I have a doubt I want someone to give me certainty. In the same way, if I were ignorant I would want someone to teach me; if I lacked clothes I would want someone to bring me clothes; if I were ill I would like someone to come and see me; if I were hungry or thirsty I would like someone to bring me food and drink. ( ... ) Video in italian Transcription

Rome, 1977 Asceticism and mysticism as new way of life: the focolare The Focolare centres are at the heart of the Movement you founded. What is a Focolare? A Focolare is a modern community made up of a small number of people who live in the midst of the world and who do not distinguish themselves from others in the way they dress and they work. But they have left the world, their countries, their families, their careers, to give themselves to the cause of unity in the world. The Focolare is also open to married people if they feel within themselves a desire for a total commitment. They are asked to be spiritually detached from all things even if they remain in their family.The life of the Focolare is guided by a rule which sprang from life and can be applied to all circumstances. But the norm of norms, the basis of our life, is the constant, mutual charity that must always circulate among the members of the Movement. This

Rocca di Papa, 9 October 1978 The Presence of Jesus in the Christian According to St. John This talk highlights the centre of revelation from the perspective of the charism of unity Jesus in the believer John too, like Paul, has his own way of speaking about the presence of Jesus in the Christian. His characteristic formula is: the believer in Christ, and Christ in the believer. For him, therefore, there is a mutual indwelling.He speaks about this in connection with the Eucharist: "He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me and I in him” (Jn 6:56). ( ... ) Video in italian Text

Rome, 1957 This vision of the historical development of the religious families indicates, as Fr. Fabio Ciardi wrote, “a Catholic, open, universal heart that is capable of extending over the whole Church.”(*) Christ through the centuries Jesus is the Word of God incarnate. The church is the gospel incarnate: for this reason she is the Bride of Christ. Many religious orders have flourished through the centuries. Every family or order is the “incarnation,” so to speak, of an expression of Jesus, of an attitude of his, of an event of his life, of a suffering of his, of a word of his.. There are Franciscans who continue to proclaim to the world through their very existence: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 5:3). There are the Dominicans who contemplate the Logos, the Word, under the aspect of Light and Truth, and make it their mission to explain and defend that Truth. Monks have linked work to contemplation (Martha and Mary). The Carmelites adore

Rome, April 25, 1985 Commentary of the Word of Life: We love our brothers and sisters, and with this we know that we have passed from death to life (1 Jn. 3:14). John is writing to the Christian communities he founded at a moment when they were having serious difficulties. Heresies and false doctrines on matters of faith and morals were starting to spread, while the pagan society where Christians lived was tough and hostile to the spirit of the Gospel. To help them the Apostle points out a radical solution: to love the brothers and sisters, to live the law of love they have received from the beginning, which he sees as the summary of all the other commandments.Doing this, they will know what ‘life’ is. They will be led, that is, deeper and deeper into union with God and will expe¬rience God-Love. And, having this experience, they will be confirmed in faith and be capable of facing any attack, especially in times of crisis. We love our brothers and

Rome, May 1958 When we have known suffering in all shades of its most frightful forms, in the most varied kinds of anguish, and have stretched out our arms to God in mute, heart-rending supplication, uttering subdued cries for help; when we have drunk the chalice to the dregs and have offered to God, for days and years, our own cross mingled with his, which gives it divine value, then God has pity on us and welcomes us into union with him. This is the moment in which, having experienced the unique value of suffering, having believed in the economy of the cross and seen its beneficial effects, God shows us in a new and higher way something that is worth even more than suffering. It is love for others in the form of mercy, the love that stretches our hearts and arms to embrace the wretched, the poor, those whom life has ravaged, repentant sinners.A love that knows how to welcome back our neighbour who went astray, our friend, our