May 5, 2013 - Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church

THE SIXTH
Nativity of Our Lord
CATHOLIC CHURCH & SCHOOL
Religious Education (R.E.) classes ended for the
year with a family-friendly holy hour on April 22 and
23. On Wednesday, holy hour included the
presentation of a prayer chain by one of the R.E.
classes (shown to the left). After Benediction, the
crowd headed down to Ryan Hall for the potluck in
celebration of the conclusion of another successful
year of R.E. classes. Don’t let your faith stop with
the end of R.E., though--check out the activities
listed below, which we are holding this summer!
& END-OF-THE-YEAR POTLUCK
FAITH FESTIVAL
MAY
5
• Totus Tuus
- June 9-14, 2013
- Grades 1-6: M-F 9:00am-2:30pm
- Grades 7-12: S-Th. 7:00pm-9:00pm
- Sign up online at: www.nool.us
• Fr. Accu’s Middle School Vacation
- June 17-21
- Franciscan Retreat Center
- Colorado Springs, CO
- Sign ups will be available soon!
• High School Field Night
- July 10-August 14, 6:30-8:00pm
- High schoolers, join us to hang out,
play ultimate frisbee and other
games, and build community!
- Location TBD
For more events, go to our website: www.nool.us!
THIS SUMMER:

FROM THE DESK
OF OUR PASTOR
Dear Parishioners,
Today I would like to talk to you about the pastoral care of the sick and homebound that we
offer at Nativity. It could truly be said the the care we show to the sick and homebound is a
true index of our love for Christ and our passion for his people. While there are not many
materially poor people in our neighborhood, these people are truly our brothers and sisters
in need, and the Church always wishes to express a true preference for them. This weekend,
as on every first Sunday of the month, we offer the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick for all of those
who are ill but who are able to come to church. The sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is a sacrament
which confers special graces for dealing with serious and chronic illness, and we make this sacrament available
to anybody who needs it. St. James tell us that if there is anyone sick in the Church, they should send for a
priest and the priest should pray for them and anoint them.
Besides this monthly Anointing, we offer Holy Mass once a month at the five residential care facilities in our
parish. Each of these facilities has an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion who is responsible for
that facility and typically brings communion every week, and then on the designated week of the month, a
priest goes to offer a holy Mass. At that time, the priest will go to any patient who needs the sacrament of
Anointing. Of course any Catholic can call the Church for the sacrament of Anointing at any time, but these
occasions offer special opportunities.
Nativity also participates in the pastoral care of the sick at Good Samaritan Hospital with Eucharistic
Ministers bringing communion to the Catholic patients daily. Besides this, many Eucharistic Ministers bring
Holy Communion to the homebound.
I would like to express here, a particular gratitude to all of our extraordinary ministers of holy Communion
who serve the sick and the homebound. They bring forth the love of Christ from the altar to those in need.
If you would like to be involved in this ministry, please call and give your name to Merrilyn or speak to one of
the priests at the end of Mass.
It is important that all of our parishioners know that due to the HIPAA statutes, which are designed to protect
privacy, it is very important that if you are hospitalized or admitted to a healthcare facility of any type, that
you let us know, since the facilities themselves are only allowed to give us information following a very direct
request from you. If you let us know, then we can assure that you receive care from the parish.
May God bless you in Christ,
Fr. Michael

LITURGICAL
SCHEDULE
Mass Times:
Weekend Masses:
Saturday 4:30pm
Sunday 7:30am,
9:30am, & 11:30am
Youth Mass 5:00pm
Daily Mass:
Monday-Thursday 7:30am
Friday & Saturday 8:00am
First Friday of the month: 12:00pm
Sacrament of Penance:
Saturday 8:30am & 3:00pm
Sunday 30 min. prior to each Mass
PARISH
OFFICE
900 Midway Blvd.
Broomfield, CO 80020
Office Hours:
Monday-Friday
8:00am-5:00pm
www.nool.us
Phone: 303-469-5171
Fax: 303-469-5172
School: 303-466-4177
PLEASE NOTE!
Send all
bulletin information
to Jacquie Fankell at
j.fankell@nool.us
by Tuesdays at noon.
Readings for this Week:
Sunday: Acts 15:1-2, 22-29; Rev. 21:10-14, 22-23, John 14:23-29
Monday: Acts 16:11-15; John 15:26-16:4a
Tuesday: Acts 16:22-34; John 16:5-11
Wednesday: Acts 17:15, 22-18:1; John 16:12-15
Thursday: Acts 18:1-8; John 16:16-20
Friday: Acts 18:9-18; John 16:20-23
Saturday: Acts 18:23-28; John 16:23b-28
Next Sunday: Acts 1:1-11; Ephesians 1:17-23; Luke 24:46-53
Pastor
Fr. Michael Carvill, ext. 114
m.carvill@nool.us
Parochial Vicar
Fr. Accursio Ciaccio, ext. 111
a.ciaccio@nool.us
In Residence
Fr. Gabriele Azzalin, ext. 121
g.azzalin@nool.us
Deacons
Richard A. Medenwaldt, ext. 106
r.medenwaldt@nool.us
Leonard “Buz” Onesky, ext. 106
l.onesky@nool.us
Steve Vallero
Executive Assistant to the Pastor
Lynne Gallagher, ext. 101
l.gallagher@nool.us
Business Manager
Kyle Hubbart, ext. 108
k.hubbart@nool.us
School Principal
Kathy Shadel, ext. 119
k.shadel@nool.us
Director of Faith Formation
Mark Thomason, ext. 104
m.thomason@nool.us
Development Director
Ilene DuBey, 303-641-3667
i.dubey@nool.us
Director of Religious Education
Diane Irby, ext. 103
d.irby@nool.us
Director of Music
Tad Koriath, ext. 123
t.koriath@nool.us
Parish Registrar
Merrilyn Sikora, ext. 110
m.sikora@nool.us
Business Office Accountant
Carol Sullivan, ext. 109
c.sullivan@nool.us
Administrative Assistant - Front Desk
Belinda Marquez-Salgado, ext. 100
b.marquez.salgado@nool.us
Sue Gettings, ext. 100
s.gettings@nool.us
Faith Formation Program Assistant
Kyla Dahlquist, ext. 105
k.dahlquist@nool.us
IT Specialist
Jim DuBey, ext. 115
j.dubey@nool.us
Pastoral Communications Associate
Jacquie Fankell, ext. 135
j.fankell@nool.us
Promoter of Works of Charity
Maura Johnson
m.johnson@nool.us
Parish Sacristan
Marylou Sivigliano, ext. 136
m.sivigliano@nool.us

THIS WEEK
AT NATIVITY
MASS INTENTIONS
Sunday, May 5
7:30am †Anton & Freida Fabian by Paul & Lisa Fabian
9:30am People of the Parish
11:30am †Stephen Weiler by Irene Zerr
5:00pm †Pat Bruno by Raffaele & Carmela A'iello
Monday, May 6
7:30am †Pat Bruno by Belinda & Patrick Salgado
Tuesday, May 7
7:30am †Darlene Froehlich by Jack & Roz Gallagher
Wednesday, May 8
7:30am †Fr. John McCormick by Ruth Lehr
Thursday, May 9
7:30am †M. Barbara Murphy by Tom & Sharon Spencer
Friday, May 10
8:00am For all mothers who have lost children by Dan & Mari Welch
Saturday, May 11
8:00am †Pat Bruno by Joe Weibel
4:30pm †Vernetta Soenksen by Bette Dean
Sunday, May 12
7:30am †Pettra Martinez by Ed & Connie Modecker
9:30am People of the Parish
11:30am †Elsie Paddock by the Paddock Family
5:00pm †Beverly Hart by the Nativity Family
Prayers for the sick and for the deceased:
We pray for all who are sick, and for our deceased relatives and friends
that they may speedily attain the blessedness of heaven and rejoice in
the eternal treasure of God’s glory and love.
If you have any prayer requests, please contact Connie
Modecker at 303-404-1792 or Joanne Farver at 303-466-8859 to be
included on Nativity's Prayerline.
WEEKLY SCHEDULE
Sunday, May 5
Baptisms 12:45pm
CL School of Community 3:30pm
Music Rehearsal 3:30pm
High School Youth 6:00pm
Men’s Basketball 6:30pm
Monday, May 6
Endow 9:00am
Cenacle Prayer Group 1:00pm
Counseling 4:00pm
Tuesday, May 7
Endow 8:30am
TOFF Meeting 9:00am
Mary Jane's Bible Study 1:00pm
3rd Year Biblical School 7:00pm
Wednesday, May 8
Endow 8:00am
Children's Choir 5:30pm
RCIA 6:30pm
Confirmation Class for Adults 6:30pm
WorkForce Center 7:00pm
Choir Rehearsal 7:30pm
Thursday, May 9
Mary Jane's Bible Study 8:15am
Endow 10:00am
Adoration 12:00pm
Holy Hour 5:00pm; Benediction 5:45pm
1st Year Biblical School 7:00pm
Centering Prayer 7:00pm
Friday, May 10
Confirmation 7:00pm
Saturday, May 11
MASH 6:45am
Cenacle Prayer Group MMP 8:30am
First Communion 10:30am
Sunday, May 12 - Mother's Day
Baptisms 12:45pm
CL School of Community 3:30pm
Music Rehearsal 3:30pm
Men’s Basketball 6:30pm
Collection Counters This Week: Rebecca & William
Mack, Denise & Richard Boselli
Sacristy Laundry This Week: Marie DePietro
Collection Counters for next week: Maryann Reyes,
Helen Risley, Nick Dipaola, & Roger Dickerson

LATEST
UPDATES
HUMBLE THANKS
On behalf of St. James Secondary School, in Jjaga Uganda, and Into Your Hands-Africa, we would like to
thank the Nativity Knights of Columbus who donated all proceeds from the pancake breakfast on April 21 to
St. James. Moreover, we would like to personally thank each one of you who supported this cause by partaking
in the breakfast and/or purchasing items from Uganda. Your generosity will go a long way in supporting the
school. With humble thanks, Dean & Kris Rohr.
FATHER DAMIEN ~ January 3, 1840-April 15, 1889
Feast Day: May 10
Father Damien, born as Jozef de Veuster, was a missionary from Tremelo, Belgium.
He began his years as a missionary in Honolulu in 1864. In 1873, he requested to be
the resident priest for Molokai, the island to which individuals suffering from Hansen's
disease, or leprosy, were quarantined. He served Molokai until his death in 1889.
UPDATES FROM NATIVITY SCHOOL
NATIVITY SCHOOL TEACHING POSITIONS OPEN
Nativity of Our Lord School is looking for two full-time teachers, middle school math and K-8
computer/technology. Requirements include being a practicing Catholic and current Colorado teaching
license in area of interest. Please contact the school office at 303-466-4177 or k.shadel@nool.us.
TALENT SHOW
The third through fifth grade students showed
off their talent during their annual talent show.
Forty acts ranging from singing, dancing, skits, and
magic kept the audience entertained. Nativity
hosts three talent shows each year for all students
to participate. They are fun for all.
MAY CROWNING CEREMONY
May Crowning is a traditional Catholic ritual during which an image or statue of Mary is crowned, signifying
her as Queen of Heaven and Earth. On May 1, Nativity students honored Mary in a May Crowning ceremony.
During this beautiful event, the students, dressed in their best, presented flowers to Mary, who was crowned by
eighth graders Jack Thomas and Taylor Gilmore, and first graders Erin White and Finnegan LaVelle.

UPCOMING EVENTS
& ANNOUNCEMENTS
We communicate with
FLOCKNOTE
VENTURERS OF THE STAR
Fr. Accu is leading a middle school group on
Wednesdays from 6:30-8:00pm in the Frassati House.
All middle school students are welcome to join us for
songs, games, and a discussion guided by Fr. Accu.
LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
NATIVITY WORKFORCE CENTER
On May 8, Marge Fajardo will be presenting a workshop entitled "Job Search: Finding your Passion," at the
next Nativity WorkForce Center Networking meeting. The meeting will be from 6:30-9:00pm in the Parish
Conference Room, which is located downstairs in the Parish office.
RITE OF CHRISTIAN INITIATION FOR ADULTS (RCIA)
NEXT SESSION
Wednesday, May 8, 6:30pm, Weibel II
Scripture: Sixth Sunday of Easter
Topic: “The Ascent of the Holy Spirit”
NOW THAT WE ARE BAPTIZED
In order to continue our journey of maturing
in celebrating the liturgy, our neophytes grow in
deepening their grasp of the Paschal mystery and
making it part of their lives through meditation on the
Gospel, sharing the Eucharist, and doing our works
of charity. Our neophytes continue to celebrate their
NATIVITY WOMEN'S GUILD
The next meeting of the Women’s
Guild will be on Monday, May 13,
2012 at 6:30pm in Weibel II Hall. It
will begin with a salad supper, which
will be followed by a brief meeting.
Bring your favorite salad to share. Refreshments and
place settings will be provided. All ladies of the parish,
especially those who have recently registered, are
welcome and encouraged to attend. See you there!
With questions, call Nicki Battista at 303-469-0670.
Go to our website, www.nool.us, and sign up for Flocknote
if you want to receive up-to-date information about Nativity!
OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH
FR. MICHAEL'S HIGH SCHOOL GROUP
Fr. Michael is leading a high school group on Sundays
immediately following the 5:00pm Mass in Ryan Hall.
Pick up will be at 8:00pm at the Church. Our last
meeting of the year will be on Sunday, May 19.
baptism. We have been made new in Christ, and now
is the time to continue our journey in Christian prayer
and meditation. We also participate fully and actively
in the liturgical life of the Church.
Now is a really great time to enter into the process of
RCIA, and we invite any and all whose heart strings
are feeling the tug of Christ. We also encourage
parishioners to invite people they know who might
be looking for a place to call home. Please contact
Deacon Dick at 303-469-5171 ext. 106 or by email at
r.medenwaldt@nool.us for additional information.
FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
TIME OUT FOR FRIENDSHIP (TOFF)
TOFF's next meeting will be on May 7 at 9:00am
in Weibel Hall. Jo Ann Padgett from the Catechesis
of the Good Shepherd will talk about Montessori
Religious Education programs. Childcare is available
for a small fee for all children one and older, while
children under one can stay in the room with Mom.
Childcare at your first meeting is free! For more
information, please contact: Anne Gray at abcgray@
hotmail.com or 303-910-4521 or Kristen Hamill at
kristenmaryhamill@gmail.com.
NATIVITY WIDOWS
Brunch will be on May 8 at 11:00am at the Egg and I. Please RSVP before noon on Monday, May 6. All
Nativity widows are welcome. Please call Mary Baylie at 303-466-1125 or Genny Lane at 303-466-9377.

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
PRODUCTS OF THE MONTH:
cooking oil, catsup, & mustard
There is always a need for certain items, like the ones above, at FISH and the Samaritan Shelter. Please bring your
products to the church and place them in the labeled basket downstairs.
HOST FAMILIES NEEDED
We are in need of host families for Italian High School Students who will be attending our Nativity English
Academy this summer from June 25-July 21. Many school and parish families hosted two summers ago and
enjoyed the program so much that 13 families have already agreed to host again. However, I still need a few
more families. Below is the basic information.
If you are interested please contact Ilene DuBey at i.dubey@nool.us.
- The students will be arriving on the evening of Tuesday, June 25, and staying until Sunday, July 21.
- Monday through Friday, the students will have English classes from 9:00am to 12:30pm at Nativity. After
their classes every afternoon there will be a planned activity for the students. Each weekday's activities will
end at 6:00pm.
- There will be a few evening activities with our Nativity High School Youth Group and one weekend trip to the
mountains with Fr. Michael.
- Host families will receive a stipend to help cover the extra food cost of having the student in their home.
- Host families will provide: meals, a bedroom, a bathroom (sharing with your children is fine), and a loving and
caring experience for the students.
- All students come from very good Catholic Italian families.
- The students will provide you with much knowledge of their country, family, food, and way of life... it truly is
an amazing experience for all who are involved!
I am also in need of a family who would like to host a 17-year-old high school student from
Milan, Italy. She will be attending Holy Family High School for the Fall Semester.
Online Giving
Nativity participates in an online giving program that serves as a consistent, reliable means of making your offering to our parish.
To give online:
1. Visit our website www.nool.us.
2. Click on the Online Giving button on the right sidebar.
3. Complete the registration.
Questions
Contact Kyle Hubbart at
k.hubbart@nool.us.
Golf Tournament
The center will be holding a golf tournament as a
fundraiser on Saturday, May 18 at Eagle Trace Golf
Course. For more information on the tournament,
visit www.realchoicespartners.org/events.
REAL CHOICES PREGNANCY CARE CENTER
The Real Choices Pregnancy Care Center is offering the following events in the near future:
Walk for Life
The Walk for Life will begin at 1:00pm on Saturday,
June 8 at Harlow Platts Park in Boulder. Please
consider supporting the Pregnancy Care Center by
participating in this event.

REAL CHOICES PREGNANCY CARE CENTER BABY SHOWER
We will be having our annual baby shower for Real Choices Pregnancy Care Center and will be collecting items
between Mothers Day and Fathers Day. Below are some of the client needs:
Small items:
Baby lotions, shampoos and washes
Teething gel
Diaper rash products
Baby detergent
Newborn nasal aspirators
Baby bath towels/wash cloths (new)
Bath toys (new)
Diapers (especially size 3 and 5)
Swaddling/receiving blankets (new)
Baby clothes (boys and girls newborn-2T) - new
Baby monitors
Breast pumps (new)
Diaper bags
Small items for pampering mom
Larger items (new or gently used):
High chairs
Strollers
Swings
Baby carriers (front or back types)
Portable cribs
Bassinets
Larger Items (new only):
Infant car seats
Transitional car seat
Thank you for your support!
BRONCO RAFFLE TICKETS
Nativity school is selling raffle tickets to support the athletic program. The grand prize is four season tickets to
all 2013 Bronco regular season home games. The second place prize is two season tickets to all 2013 Bronco
regular season home games, the third place prize is $250 cash, and the fourth place prize is $100. Tickets are
$10 each and may be purchased from Nativity athletes and their parents by contacting Mrs. Wilma Fuller via
Fast Direct or cell phone (text) at 303-818-0237, or the athletic director at 303-466-4177, ext. 128. The raffle
drawing will be on May 20. Winners do not need to be present to win. You must be at least 18 years old to
purchase a ticket.
ARCHBISHOP'S CATHOLIC APPEAL
All of us have received countless gifts from God. Your donation to the 2013 Archbishop's Catholic
Appeal will be an undeniable expression of your gratitude to God and of your desire to share your
blessings with your neighbors in need. Please be most generous. Thank you.
HEALING OPPORTUNITIES
AFTER ABORTION SUPPORT GROUP FOR WOMEN
Real Choices Pregnancy Care Center is holding a 12-week support group for women suffering from their
abortion experiences. The group is free and completely confidential. It begins Tuesday, May 7 and will be from
1:00-3:00pm at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church (715 Cabrini Drive, Lafayette, 80026). Call Diane at
303-665-2341 or clientservices@realchoicespcc.org.
PROJECT RACHEL POST ABORTION
HEALING HOTLINE: 303-388-4491 ext. 153
Open 24 hours to women and men.
COUNSELING SERVICES
Becky Kusick, M.A., L.P.C., offers counseling services
through Nativity. Becky has a Master’s Degree in
Clinical Psychology and is a licensed Professional
Counselor. She has worked in the field for over 20
years. Becky works with couples, children, and adults.
For more information or for an appointment,
call 303-907-6499.
FEELING DOWN
Let a Stephen Minister help! You don't have to be
suffering through a 'big' crisis. We are available for the
'little' ones, too. So many times, too many little things
add up to be a big thing. Don't let your crisis become a
big one. A Stephen Minister is a trained volunteer
ready to listen in a non-judgmental way while
maintaining strict confidentiality. Through a caring
relationship, those who are hurting receive the love and
support they need. Please call 303-469-5171, ext.
113 and leave a confidential message. Your call
will be returned within 48 hours.

HISTORIC MARKER DEDICATION
Broomfield's Cemetery Committee will host a short,
public dedication ceremony for the new Lakeview
Cemetery Historic Memorial on Saturday, May 11 at
11am. The marker honors the early homesteaders
and residents of Broomfield known to be buried
in the historic cemetery prior to 1955. Of the 125
documented burials at Lakeview since 1898, only 42
grave stones remain. The marker includes the names
of the documented burials, providing a glimpse into
Broomfield's history and preserving the memories
of these early residents. The cemetery is located at
Main Street and Eagle Way, south of Broomfield High
School.
OPPORTUNITIES BEYOND THE PARISH
2013 MARRIAGE ENCOUNTER WEEKENDS
· June 21-23, Red Lion Hotel Denver
· August 2-4, Red Lion Hotel Denver
· November 8-10, location TBD
Questions Visit www.northerncoloradome.org
or contact Brenda & Gary Granger at 303-604-6202 or
grangers@northerncoloradome.org.
HELP WANTED
Accountant/Business Coordinator at St. Mark Church,
Westminster, CO. 25–30 hours per week, Monday-
Friday. Full charge accounting experience required.
Call Barb at 303-466-8720 ext. 113 or email resume to
bsears@saintmarkcc.org.
EWTN GLOBAL CATHOLIC NETWORK
Get your faith questions answered, watch TV on your mobile device, download free mp3s of your favorite
Catholic speakers and more! We invite you to visit www.ewtn.com to discover all that the EWTN Global
Catholic Network has to offer. Stream TV and radio programs live; get Catholic news updates; find your favorite
novena and other prayers; shop for religious gifts; and so much more! That's just a taste of what you can find on
EWTN's website. Make www.ewtn.com your home for all things Catholic on the Internet!
HOLY FATHER’S
GENERAL AUDIENCE
POPE FRANCIS
SAINT PETER'S SQUARE
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24, 2013
Dear Brothers and Sisters, Good Morning!
In the Creed we profess that Jesus "will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead." Human history begins
with the creation of man and woman in God’s likeness and
ends with the Last Judgment of Christ. These two poles of
history are often forgotten, and, at times, especially faith
in Christ’s return and in the Last Judgment, are not so
clear and firm in Christian hearts. In His public life, Jesus
frequently reflected on the reality of His Final Coming.
Today I would like to reflect on three Gospel texts that help
us to penetrate this mystery: those of the ten virgins, of the
talents, and of the Last Judgment. All three are part of Jesus’
discourse on the end of time which can be found in the
Gospel of St. Matthew.
Let us remember first of all that in the Ascension, the Son
of God brought to the Father our humanity, which He had
taken on, and that He wants to draw all to Himself, to call
the whole world to be welcomed in God’s embrace so that
at the end of history the whole of reality may be consigned
to the Father. Yet there is this “immediate time” between
the First and the Final Coming of Christ, and that is the
very time in which we are living. The parable of the ten
virgins fits into this context of “immediate” time (cf. Mt
25:1-13). They are ten maidens who are awaiting the arrival
of the Bridegroom, but He is late and they fall asleep. At
the sudden announcement that the Bridegroom is arriving
they prepare to welcome Him, but while five of them, who

are wise, have oil to burn in their lamps, the others, who
are foolish, are left with lamps that have gone out because
they have no oil for them. While they go to get some oil, the
Bridegroom arrives and the foolish virgins find that the door
to the hall of the marriage feast is shut.
They knock on it again and again, but it is now too late, the
Bridegroom answers: I do not know you. The Bridegroom
is the Lord, and the time of waiting for his arrival is the
time he gives to us, to all of us, with mercy and patience
before his Final Coming; it is a time of watchfulness; a time
in which we must keep alight the lamps of faith, hope and
charity, a time in which to keep our heart open to goodness,
beauty and truth. It is a time to live in accordance with
God, because we do not know either the day or the hour
of Christ’s return. What He asks of us is to be ready for
the encounter — ready for an encounter, for a beautiful
encounter, the encounter with Jesus, which means being
able to see the signs of His presence, keeping our faith alive
with prayer, with the sacraments, and taking care not to fall
asleep, so as to not forget about God. The life of slumbering
Christians is a sad life, it is not a happy life. Christians must
be happy, with the joy of Jesus. Let us not fall asleep!
The second parable, the parable of the talents, makes us
think about the relationship between how we use the gifts we
have received from God and His return, when He will ask
us what use we made of them (cf. Mt 25:14-30). We are well
acquainted with the parable: before his departure the master
gives a few talents to each of his servants to ensure that they
will be put to good use during his absence. He gives five to
the first servant, two to the second one and one to the third.
In the period of their master’s absence, the
first two servants increase their talents — these
are ancient coins — whereas the third servant
prefers to bury his and to return it to his master
as it was.
On his return, the master judges what they
have done: he praises the first two while he
throws the third one out into the outer darkness
because, through fear, he had hidden his talent, withdrawing
into himself. A Christian who withdraws into himself, who
hides everything that the Lord has given him, is a Christian
who... he is not a Christian! He is a Christian who does not
thank God for everything God has given him!
This tells us that the expectation of the Lord’s return is the
time of action — we are in the time of action — the time
in which we should bring God’s gifts to fruition, not for
ourselves but for Him, for the Church, for others. The time
to seek to increase goodness in the world always; and in
particular, in this period of crisis, today, it is important not
to turn in on ourselves, burying our own talent, our spiritual,
intellectual, and material riches, everything that the Lord has
given us, but, rather to open ourselves, to be supportive, to
be attentive to others.
In the square I have seen that there are many young people
here: it is true, isn’t it Are there many young people Where
are they I ask you who are just setting out on your journey
through life: have you thought about the talents that God
has given you Have you thought of how you can put them
at the service of others Do not bury your talents! Set your
stakes on great ideals, the ideals that enlarge the heart, the
ideals of service that make your talents fruitful. Life is not
given to us to be jealously guarded for ourselves, but is given
to us so that we may give it in turn. Dear young people, have
a deep spirit! Do not be afraid to dream of great things!
Lastly, a word about the passage on the Last Judgment in
which the Lord’s Second Coming is described, when He
will judge all human beings, the living and the dead (cf. Mt
25: 31-46). The image used by the Evangelist is that of the
shepherd who separates the sheep from the goats. On His
right He places those who have acted in accordance with
God’s will, who went to the aid of their hungry, thirsty,
foreign, naked, sick or imprisoned neighbour — I said
"foreign:" I am thinking of the multitude of foreigners who
are here in the Diocese of Rome: what do we do for them
While on His left are those who did not help their neighbour.
This tells us that God will judge us on our love, on how we
have loved our brethren, especially the weakest and the
neediest. Of course we must always have clearly in mind
that we are justified, we are saved through grace, through an
act of freely-given love by God who always goes before us;
on our own we can do nothing. Faith is first of all a gift we
have received.
A Christian who withdraws into
But in order
himself, who hides everything that to bear
the Lord has given him, is a Christian
fruit, God’s
grace always
who... he is not a Christian! He is a
demands our
Christian who does not thank God for
openness to
everything God has given him!
Him, our free
and tangible
response. Christ comes to bring us the mercy of a God who
saves. We are asked to trust in Him, to correspond to the gift
of His love with a good life, made up of actions motivated
by faith and love.
Dear brothers and sisters, may looking at the Last Judgment
never frighten us: rather, may it impel us to live the present
better. God offers us this time with mercy and patience so
that we may learn every day to recognize Him in the poor
and in the lowly. Let us strive for goodness and be watchful
in prayer and in love. May the Lord, at the end of our life
and at the end of history, be able to recognize us as good and
faithful servants. Many thanks!