... (Acts 8, 35)
Catechesis by Pope Francis on the Acts of the Apostles (10)
General Audience, Wednesday 2 October 2019 - also in Arabic, Croatian, French, German, Italian, Polish, Portuguese & Spanish
"Dear Brothers and Sisters,
After the martyrdom of Stephen, the “journey” of the Word of God seems to come to a standstill, due to the rise of “a great persecution against the Church in Jerusalem” (cf. Acts 8:1). After this the Apostles remain in Jerusalem, while many Christians are scattered across other areas of Judea and in Samaria.
In the Book of the Acts, persecution appears as the permanent state of the disciples’ lives, in accordance with what Jesus said: “If they persecuted me, they will persecute you” (Jn 15:20). But persecution, rather than extinguishing the fire of evangelization, fuels it even more.
We have heard what the deacon Philip did. He begins to evangelize the cities of Samaria, and the signs of liberation and healing that accompany the proclamation of the Word are numerous. At this point the Holy Spirit enters a new phase of the Gospel’s journey: he spurs Philip to approach a foreigner whose heart is open to God. Philip rises and goes with enthusiasm, and along a deserted and dangerous road, he meets a high-level official of the queen of Ethiopia, an administrator of her treasure. After being in Jerusalem for worship, this man, a eunuch, is returning to his country. He is a proselyte Jew from Ethiopia. He is seated in a carriage, reading the scroll of the Prophet Isaiah, in particular the fourth verse of the “servant of the Lord”.
Philip approaches the carriage and asks him: “Do you understand what you are reading?” (Acts 8:30). The Ethiopian responds: “How can I, unless some one guides me?” (8:31). This powerful man recognizes that he needs to be guided in order to understand the Word of God. He was the great banker, the finance minister. He had all the power of money but he knew that without the explanation, he could not understand; he was humble.
This dialogue between Philip and the Ethiopian leads us to reflect on the fact that reading Scripture is not enough; we need to understand the meaning, to find the “core” by going beyond the “peel”, tapping into the Spirit who vivifies the letter. As Pope Benedict said at the opening of the Synod on the Word of God, “exegesis, the true reading of Holy Scripture, is not only a literary phenomenon.... It is the movement of my existence” (Address at the Opening of the 12th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, 6 October 2008). To enter the Word of God is to be open to step outside one’s own boundaries in order to encounter and conform to Christ who is the living Word of the Father.
Who then is the protagonist of what the Ethiopian was reading? Philip offers his interlocutor an interpretative key: that meek, suffering servant — who does not react to evil with evil, and who, despite being seen as a failure, unproductive and is ultimately done away with, frees the people from iniquity and bears fruit for God — is that very Christ whom Philip and the entire Church proclaim! The one who redeemed us all through the Paschal Mystery. At last the Ethiopian recognizes Christ, requests Baptism and professes his faith in the Lord Jesus. This narrative is beautiful, but who stirred Philip to go to the desert to encounter this man? Who spurred Philip to approach the carriage? It is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the protagonist of evangelization. “Father I am going to evangelize” — “Yes, what do you do?” — “Oh, I proclaim the Gospel and I say who Jesus is; I try to convince people that Jesus is God”. My dear, this is not evangelization. If there is no Holy Spirit there is no evangelization. This may be proselytism, advertising.... But evangelization is allowing yourself to be guided by the Holy Spirit, letting him lead you to proclamation, to proclamation with witness, even with martyrdom, even with words.
After introducing the Ethiopian to the Risen One — the Ethiopian encounters the Risen Jesus because he understands that prophesy — Philip disappears. The Spirit takes him and sends him to do something else. I have said that the protagonist of evangelization is the Holy Spirit; and what is the sign that you are a Christian woman or man, that you are an evangelizer? Joy. Martyrdom too. And, rejoicing, Philip went on his way to preach the Gospel.
May the Holy Spirit spur baptized men and women to proclaim the Gospel so as to attract others, not to themselves but to Christ; that they know how to make room for the action of God; that they know how to make others free and responsible before the Lord."
Saluti:
"Je salue cordialement les personnes de langue française, en particulier les pèlerins de la paroisse de Villeneuve, le Collège Maitrise de Massabielle de Pointe-à-Pitre, le Collège Saint-Joseph de Oyonnax et le groupe de pèlerins du Diocèse de Québec. La rencontre de Philippe avec l’Ethiopien nous révèle l’importance de la compréhension de la Parole de Dieu et des sacrements pour une vie nouvelle en Dieu. Et la joie est la caractéristique de tout chrétien disciple du Christ mort et ressuscité. Que l’Esprit Saint fasse de nous des hommes et des femmes amoureux du Christ et joyeux dans l’annonce de son message d’espérance. Que Dieu vous bénisse !
[Saluto calorosamente i fedeli francofoni, in particolare i pellegrini della Parrocchia di Villeneuve; il Collegio Maîtrise di Massabielle di Pointe-à-Pitre; il Collegio Saint-Joseph di Oyonnax; e il gruppo di pellegrini della Diocesi di Quebec. L'incontro di Filippo con l'Etiope rivela l'importanza di comprendere la Parola di Dio e i Sacramenti per una nuova vita in Dio. E la gioia è la caratteristica di tutti i cristiani, discepoli di Cristo, morto e risorto. Possa lo Spirito Santo rendervi uomini e donne amanti di Cristo, e gioiosi nell'annuncio del Suo messaggio di speranza. Dio vi benedica!]
I greet the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today’s Audience, especially the groups from England, Scotland, Ireland, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Botswana, Australia, China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Canada, and the United States of America. In a particular way my greeting goes to the seminarians of the Pontifical North American College and their families gathered for the ordination to the Diaconate to be celebrated tomorrow. Upon all of you, and your families, I invoke the joy and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ. May God bless you!
[Saluto i pellegrini di lingua inglese presenti all’odierna Udienza, specialmente i gruppi provenienti da Inghilterra, Scozia, Irlanda, Danimarca, Paesi Bassi, Norvegia, Svezia, Botswana, Australia, Cina, Indonesia, Filippine, Canada e Stati Uniti d’America. In particolare saluto i seminaristi del Pontificio Collegio Americano del Nord e i loro familiari, riuniti per l’ordinazione diaconale che si terrà domani. Su di voi e sulle vostre famiglie invoco la gioia e la pace del Signore Gesù Cristo. Dio vi benedica!]
Einen lieben Gruß richte ich an die Pilger und Besucher deutscher Sprache, insbesondere die Schüler des Cusanus-Gymnasiums in Koblenz und die Schützen aus Werl. Der Hauch des Heiligen Geistes mache uns fähig, dem Handeln Gottes in uns Raum zu verschaffen, indem wir den geringsten und schwächsten Brüdern und Schwestern beístehen. Der Herr segne euch und eure Familien!
[Rivolgo un caro saluto ai pellegrini di lingua tedesca, in particolare agli alunni del Cusanus-Gymnasium di Koblenz e agli Schützen di Werl. Il soffio dello Spirito Santo ci renda capaci di fare spazio all’azione di Dio in noi, aiutando i fratelli e le sorelle più piccoli e bisognosi. Il Signore benedica voi e le vostre famiglie!]
Saludo cordialmente a los peregrinos de lengua española venidos de España y de Latinoamérica. Hoy, memoria litúrgica de los ángeles custodios, pidamos al Señor que nos conceda, por su intercesión, el don de su Espíritu Santo, para que haga de todos nosotros los bautizados anunciadores valientes del Evangelio, dando cabida en nuestra vida a la acción de Dios, que nos hace criaturas nuevas y criaturas libres. Que el Señor los bendiga.
Queridos peregrinos do Brasil e todos os outros de língua portuguesa, sede bem-vindos! Que esta peregrinação a Roma vos encha de luz e fortaleza para anunciardes Jesus Cristo, único Salvador e Senhor da vida: fora d'Ele, não há vida, nem esperança alguma de a encontrar. Com Cristo, pelo contrário, sucesso eterno à vida que Deus vos confiou. Assim Deus vos abençoe a vós e às vossas famílias! Rezai pelas missões.
[Cari pellegrini del Brasile e tutti gli altri di lingua portoghese, benvenuti! Possa questo pellegrinaggio a Roma riempirvi di luce e fortezza per annunciare Gesù Cristo, unico Salvatore e Signore della vita: fuori di Lui, non c'è vita, né speranza alcuna di trovarla. Con Cristo, invece, eterno successo alla vita che Dio vi ha affidata. Così Dio benedica voi e le vostre famiglie! Pregate per le missioni.]
أرحب بالحاضرين الناطقين باللغة العربية، وخاصة بالقادمين من العراق، ومن الأردن، ومن الشرق الأوسط. من المستحيل، بدون مساعدة الرب لنا، أن نفهم الكتاب المقدس بعمق، والعكس صحيح أيضا: فبدون الكتاب المقدس، تظل أحداث رسالة يسوع وكنيسته في العالم غير مفهومة. وقد كتب القديس إيرونيموس بحق: "أن نجهل الكتاب المقدس هو أن نجهل المسيح ذاته". ليبارككم الرب جميعا ويحرسكم دائما من الشرير!
[Rivolgo un cordiale benvenuto ai pellegrini di lingua araba, in particolare a quelli provenienti dall’Iraq, dalla Giordania e dal Medio Oriente. Senza il Signore è impossibile comprendere in profondità la Sacra Scrittura, ma è altrettanto vero il contrario: senza la Sacra Scrittura restano indecifrabili gli eventi della missione di Gesù e della sua Chiesa nel mondo. Giustamente San Girolamo poteva scrivere: «L’ignoranza delle Scritture è ignoranza di Cristo». Il Signore vi benedica e vi protegga sempre dal maligno!]
Serdecznie pozdrawiam polskich pielgrzymów. Drodzy bracia i siostry, wczoraj rozpoczął się Nadzwyczajny Miesiąc Misyjny. „Obchody tego miesiąca pomogą nam przede wszystkim w ponownym odkryciu misyjnego znaczenia naszego przylgnięcia wiary do Jezusa Chrystusa, wiary darmo otrzymanej jako dar w sakramencie Chrztu św.” Wszyscy bowiem, jako „Ochrzczeni i posłani”, jesteśmy wezwani, byśmy sami byli świadkami Chrystusa i byśmy wspierali misjonarzy, którzy niosą Ewangelię wszystkim ludom na świecie. Niech im zawsze towarzyszy nasza modlitwa i konkretne dzieła solidarności. Z serca wam błogosławię.
[Saluto cordialmente i pellegrini polacchi. Cari fratelli e sorelle, ieri è iniziato il Mese Missionario Straordinario. “Celebrare questo mese ci aiuterà in primo luogo a ritrovare il senso missionario della nostra adesione di fede a Gesù Cristo, fede gratuitamente ricevuta come dono nel Battesimo”. Infatti tutti, come “Battezzati e inviati”, siamo chiamati ad essere testimoni di Cristo e sostenitori dei missionari che portano il Vangelo a tutti i popoli del mondo. La nostra preghiera e i gesti concreti di solidarietà li accompagnino sempre. Vi benedico di cuore.]
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Rivolgo un cordiale benvenuto ai pellegrini di lingua italiana.
Sono lieto di accogliere i partecipanti all’Incontro promosso dal Pontificio Consiglio per il Dialogo Interreligioso sul Mahatma Gandhi; e i Sacerdoti del Pontificio Collegio Missionario Internazionale San Paolo Apostolo, in Roma.
Saluto le parrocchie di Copertino e di Livizzano; e il gruppo di giovani cattolici cinesi, da Prato.
Un pensiero particolare rivolgo ai giovani, agli anziani, agli ammalati e agli sposi novelli.
Oggi celebriamo la memoria dei Santi Angeli Custodi. La loro presenza rafforzi in voi la certezza che Dio accompagna il cammino di vita di ciascuno. Vi sostengano nell’annunciare e vivere il Vangelo di Cristo per un mondo rinnovato nell’amore di Dio."