Pope Francis in Latvia: Ecumenism and Reaching out to the Poor

Source: Vatican Media

Addressing an ecumenical meeting in Riga on Monday, the first day of his apostolic visit to Latvia, Pope Francis expressed his appreciation for what he called one of the country's special traits: a "lived ecumenism" which has succeeded in building unity while preserving the unique and rich identity of the different Christian Churches.

The meeting took place in the city's Lutheran Cathedral, a place - the Pope said - that has been home to the Christian life of the city: "a faithful witness to all those brothers and sisters of ours who have come here to worship and pray, to sustain their hope in moments of trial and to find the courage to face times of great injustice and suffering".

He remarked how the cathedral is also home to one of the oldest organs in Europe, describing it as the "the instrument of God and of men for lifting eyes and hearts to heaven". Using the metaphor of the organ throughout his speech, Francis said that like the faith, it is part of our identity and he warned Christians against the risk of turning their identity - and their faith - into "a museum piece that recalls the achievements of earlier ages, an object of great historical value, but no longer one that is capable of moving the hearts of those who hear it". The Gospel, he said, tells us that our faith "is not to be hidden away, but to be made known so that it can resound in the various sectors of society and all can contemplate its beauty and be illumined by its light".

"If the music of the Gospel is no longer heard in our lives, or becomes a mere period piece, it will no longer be capable of breaking through the monotony that stifles hope and makes all our activity fruitless," he said. "If the music of the Gospel, he continued, ceases to resonate in our very being, we will lose the joy born of compassion, the tender love born of trust, the capacity for reconciliation that has its source in our knowledge that we have been forgiven and sent forth. If the music of the Gospel ceases to sound in our homes, our public squares, our workplaces, our political and financial life, then we will no longer hear the strains that challenge us to defend the dignity of every man and woman, whatever his or her origin. We will become caught up in what is 'mine', neglecting what is 'ours': our common home, which is also our common responsibility. "If the music of the Gospel is no longer heard, we will lose the sounds that guide our lives to heaven and become locked into one of the worst ills of our day: loneliness and isolation," he said.

Pope Francis reminded those present that Christian unity is something that our mission continues to demand of us. Acknowledging that we live in times that are complex and difficult, he mentioned, in particular, those Christians "who are experiencing exile and even martyrdom for their faith" saying that mission also demands that we ensure that the music of the Gospel continues to be heard in the public square and to resound in our midst never ceasing to inspire us and calling us to live life to the full.

Mass in Aglona

On Monday evening Pope Francis concluded his day-long visit to Latvia, celebrating Mass at the sanctuary of the Mother of God in Aglona.

During his homily the Pope said the example of Mary at the foot of the cross and at the wedding feast of Cana is a model to Latvians of how they should care for the oppressed, the exploited and the marginalised, and how to receive and adapt themselves to the needs of others. Recalling the theme of his Latvian visit - "Show yourself as Mother!" - Pope Francis said the main way that Mary shows herself is near the cross.

The Pope said Mary stands near those who suffer, those from whom the world flees, including those who have been put on trial, condemned by all and deported. He said it not that they are simply oppressed or exploited; they are completely "outside the system", on the very fringes of society. The Mother, the Pope said, also stands close by them, steadfast beneath their cross of incomprehension and suffering.

The Holy Father pointed out that for Mary, standing near is not simply passing by, making a quick visit or engaging in a kind of "tourism of solidarity", but rather being firmly close to those in painful situations. Noting that Mary sees the open wounds of her Son Jesus in their sufferings, the Pope urged Latvians to go out to meet the people, consoling and accompanying them. He asked them to get involved and let their lives become complicated for the sake of others, ever ready to lift up the fallen, raise up the lowly and to help end all those situations of oppression that make people feel crucified themselves.

In asking His mother to receive His disciple as her son, the Pope said, Jesus is asking us to fully receive one another. He said we can stand at the side of many people, even sharing the same home, neighbourhood or workplace . . . but without embracing or actually "receiving" them with love.

At the wedding feast of Cana, Pope Francis said, Mary also shows herself as an obedient disciple, willing to accept and go along with the pace of someone younger than herself. Harmony, the Pope said, is always difficult with differences of age, life experiences and circumstances. But when in faith, we listen to the command to receive and be received, it becomes possible to build unity in diversity, for differences neither restrain nor divide us, but allow us to look more deeply and to see others in their most profound dignity, as sons and daughters of the same Father.

Mary, the Pope said, gives us the courage and humility to help us adapt ourselves to whatever life brings. She asks us to commit ourselves to welcome one another without discrimination. In this way, all in Latvia may know that we are willing to show preference to the poor, to raise up those who have fallen, and to receive others just as they come, just as they are.