WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8TH, 2023
Brother and sisters, let us feed our expectation for Heaven, let us exercise the desire for paradise. Today it does us good to ask ourselves if our desires have anything to do with Heaven. Because we risk continuously aspiring to passing things, of confusing desires with needs, of putting expectations of the world before expectation of God. But losing sight of what matters to follow the wind would be the greatest mistake in life. Let us look upwards, because we are on a journey toward the Height, whereas the things from down here will not go up there: the best careers, the greatest achievements, the most prestigious titles and awards, accumulated wealth, earthly earnings — all will vanish in an instant, everything. And every expectation placed in those things will be disappointed. And yet, how much time, how much effort and energy do we spend worrying and feeling sad because of these things, letting the tension towards home fade, losing sight of the meaning of the way, of the goal of the journey, the infinite towards which we go, the joy for which we breathe! Let us ask ourselves: do I live out what I say in the Creed, “I look forward” — that is — “to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come”? And how do I wait? Am I capable of going to the essential or am I distracted by so many superfluous things? Do I cultivate hope or go on complaining, because I give too much value to many things that don’t matter and that will pass?
Entrusting those who have died in the Turkey and Syria earthquake to the loving mercy of the Almighty, I pray that the emergency personnel involved in the ongoing relief efforts will be sustained by the divine gifts of fortitude and perseverance.
Pope Francis
The Vibrant Channeled Creator 