The Essential For Today

Rome, 1970 When Pope Paul VI gave his commentary on the Creed, he made two affirmations that found a special echo in our hearts and gave ancient truths a new resonance. He defined God as: ‘He is Who is and he is Love.’1 . Among the characteristics of Christ he recalled that ‘He has given us his new com¬mandment, to love one another as he has loved us.’2 . Before the Council, although these truths had always existed, it was clear to the people above all that God is he who is, and that Jesus has saved us. Now the word love, which denotes the essence of God, and the commandment of love which sums up Christ's desires, further clarify these pivots of our faith.Not only that, but this more explicit definition of who God is, and the Christian people's resulting faith in this definition could be the keynote for the beginning of a general renewal in the life of the Church.It is one thing in fact to know we can

Rome, (Città Nuova) 25 November 1988 Commentary of the Word of Life: Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise(Lk 3:11). These words are taken from the preaching of John the Baptist. The evangelist Luke recounts that publicans were among the crowds that went to the River Jordan to be baptized. Because of their profession as tax collectors for the Roman authorities, they were considered public sinners. There were also soldiers among the crowds. Since they were coming from a pagan background, they were held to be 'far from God.' Luke points, however, to the good will of these persons, as their question to John the Baptist shows: What can we do to bring about the conversion necessary to meet the Messiah? Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise. This exhortation, with its very concrete recommendations, is the answer that John the Baptist gives to these people of good will.

Rocca di Papa, 18 July 1967 Presenter: "... Any day now, His Holiness, the great Roman Pope, will go on a pilgrimage in this old city."We take this great opportunity to bring the Churches even closer. We are nearing the goal of unity." These are the words expressed in these days by the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Athenagoras, referring to the upcoming visit of Pope Paul VI to Istanbul and Ephesus. It’s a serene and affectionate declaration of a great soul, of a man of our times. These are the words of someone who, three years ago, was already a protagonist with Pope Paul, in an historical encounter in Palestine. Who is this man? What are his feelings, his hopes and his goals? How can we describe his personality?Miss Chiara Lubich, foundress and president of the Focolare Movement, just before the announcement of the Pope’s visit, had the opportunity to meet with him precisely in these days in Constantinople.What are your first impressions from your recent encounter with Patriarch Athenagoras?    Chiara: