From the very beginning of his pontificate, Pope Francis reminded all of us that authentic power is service (Homily in Saint Peter's Square, 19 March 2013). Ever since the day of his election, Francis has not only been calling us to be a Church that is focused on service, he is also showing us how to do this.
When Jesus encouraged the disciples to follow the model of a shepherd who would leave the ninety nine in the hills and go in search of a stray sheep (Mt 18:12), he was also calling them to be focused on serving others. If we want to be authentic models of service, we must constantly be ready to leave the other sheep in the hills - even at the risk that they too might run away - and go in search of those who have gone astray.
Pope Francis has gone in search of the stray sheep by continuing his devotion to rebuilding relationships between the Catholic Church and other Churches as well as other faith traditions. He has travelled the world in order to gather the lost sheep and to strengthen the weakened ones by reminding all of us that we belong to the same family. He seizes every opportunity to show us that it is not difficult to open our hearts and to be close to those who are suffering.
Jesus is calling each one of us to be people of service, to allow our words and our lives to be authentic signs of his presence, his love, his joy, his forgiveness. In this way, we can truly experience this time of Advent as a privileged moment during which we prepare the way for his coming.
Have a great day.
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