2024-01-15 10:58:34
“The Word of God is a message of longing and love written for us by the One who knows us better than anyone else: by reading it, we hear his voice once more and receive his message to us,” wrote Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa in his message on the occasion of the Sunday of the Word of God.
On the occasion of the Sunday of the Word of God, which is celebrated on the third Sunday in Ordinary Time of each year, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa, sent a pastoral letter in which he wrote: This year as well, I invite everyone to celebrate the Sunday of the Word of God, which falls on the 21st of January. In the past two years, the participation of the Church of Jerusalem, as well as of other churches, has been very encouraging: priests, parishes, families and religious orders have celebrated this day with great enthusiasm, demonstrating the importance of the Word of God in the life of our diocese.
The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem continued: We celebrate this day while Gaza and the Holy Land are experiencing an unprecedented tragedy. A tragedy that requires fervent prayer to God, like the Widow of the Gospel, who was able to crack the head of the unjust judge who denied her the justice she deserved, but in the end he treated her fairly with the aim of getting rid of her. Jesus commented on the parable with encouraging words: “Doesn’t God do justice to His chosen ones who cry out to Him day and night? Is He not quick to respond to them?”
Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa added that the motto chosen for this year is the verse of John: “Abide in my word.” The Word of God is a message of longing and love written to us by the One who knows us better than anyone else: by reading it, we hear his voice once more and receive his message to us. On a practical level, Pope Francis said: “Let us give the Word of God a proper place in our homes. Let us place the Gospel in a place that reminds us to open it every day, perhaps at the beginning and at the end of the day, so that it reaches our hearts, among the many words that strike our ears, verse by word.” “God. To do this, let us ask the Lord for the strength to turn off the TV and open the Bible, turn off the cell phone and open the Bible.”
The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem continued, saying, “We call on every parish, monastic order, or youth group to choose the most appropriate way to celebrate the Sunday of the Word.” Here are some suggestions: The parish priest can enter at the beginning of Sunday Mass holding the book of the Gospel, place it reverently on the altar and incense it in front of the congregation. The sermon will of course be on the subject of God’s Word. On Sunday itself, or on another day of the week, an hour of adoration can be devoted to the theme of the Word of God. We will later send you a text in Italian and Arabic. It is also possible to make a divine reading regarding the Sunday Gospel itself. Calling on the faithful to download the readings of the daily Mass on their mobile phones, to meditate on them in the morning or evening, alone or with the family. You can download a special application for this, or follow the Liturgical Committee website.
Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa concluded his message on the occasion of the Sunday of the Word of God by saying, “Wishing abundant fruits for all who will joyfully participate in this Sunday’s activities, I entrust our lives and hopes to Mary our mother, Queen of Palestine and all the Holy Lands, who listened to the Word of God and kept it in her heart.”
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