Pope urges researchers on social
issues to smell like sheep
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| Pope meeting officials and staff of the "aggiornamenti Sociali" magazine on December 6, 2019 (Vatican Media) |
Pope Francis on Friday received in audience the officials
and staff of the Italian weekly magazine, “Aggiornamenti Sociali”. In a
prepared text he handed them, he encouraged a preferential love for the poor
and building of bridges among people through listening, dialogue and walking
together.
By Robin Gomes
Pope Francis encouraged those who research and reflect on
social issues to have the heart of a shepherd who smells like sheep and assume
the compassion of Jesus for the poor and suffering people.
“Putting yourself on the side of the poor is an encounter with
suffering and injustice, but also with genuine and contagious happiness” of the
Beatitudes, he told some 50 journalists and collaborators of the Italian weekly
magazine, “Aggiornamenti Sociali” (Social Updates).
The Jesuit-run periodical and think tank that began in 1950,
also offers formation and has a staff composed of Jesuits and lay people.
Pope Francis handed them the prepared text of his discourse
but preferred to speak from his heart. In their activities, he
particularly encouraged them in the art of listening and dialoguing.
Listening
Listening, the Pope said, is precisely the fundamental
attitude of every person who wants to do something for others. But it must
be done with an open mind and heart, without any prejudice.
In this regard, he deplored the prejudice that Europe is
experiencing today, with countries closing in and old ideologies that brought
about the Second World War, making a comeback. In doing so, one
must not distort reality but take it as it is.
Dialoguing
After listening comes dialoguing which takes into account
what reality is and seeking answers. And this dialogue, the Pope said,
starts with the values of the Gospel that Jesus taught, without imposing them
dogmatically, but with dialogue and discernment. According to the Pope, a
genuine dialogue by a Christian includes looking at reality, resorting to
prayer and then discerning the way forward, because “the Lord speaks to us
through reality, through prayer and in discernment”.
“Never, never cover up reality,” he urged, stressing, “there
are no ‘highways’ for evangelization; only humble, humble paths that will take
us forward.”
Discerning with the Spirit
In his prepared remarks to “Aggiornamenti Sociali”, the Holy
Father stressed the importance of discerning in order to orient members of
society in the right direction. This consists in recognizing and
following the voice of the Spirit at the personal, civil and ecclesial
levels.
In areas such as artificial intelligence, bioethics,
migration, inequality, economy, environment, and the common good, the Pope
said, “Aggiornamenti Sociali” must not only provide reliable information but
also accompany its readers to learn how to make judgments and act with greater
responsibility.
The Holy Father encouraged the magazine to welcome the
results of scientific research on social phenomena with the “gaze of the
disciple, assuming the compassion that Jesus, the Master, feels and shows for
the suffering people, for the poor who cry out to him, and, together with them,
for our oppressed and devastated land”.
In discerning social phenomena, he said, Christians cannot
ignore the preferential option for the poor. Among the strengths of
Aggiornamenti Sociali, he said, is also that of giving space to the perspective
of those who are "discarded" by listening to and accompanying them
and giving voice to them.
“Even those who do research and reflect on social issues,”
he said, “are called to have the heart of a shepherd who smells like sheep.”
Journeying together
This task of social discernment, the Pope further explained,
cannot be done alone but involves all parties travelling together, under the
guidance of the Holy Spirit. It consists in building a relationship, and
also bridges, with words and gestures, by listening and willing to learn and
change, to achieve a common goal.
The Pope urged those working at “Aggiornamenti Sociali” to
particularly focus on three areas. Firstly, they should integrate those
sectors of society that are on the margins, where the victims of the “culture
of waste” are more easily found. Secondly, they should encourage solidarity and
the encounter between the older and young generations, noting that the
acceleration of social change risks tearing young people away from their past
and roots. Lastly, he encouraged the encounter and common action among
Christians, believers of other religions and all people of goodwill.
In conclusion, the Holy Father urged to them not to be
discouraged in their commitment to justice for the poor and the “care of our
common home”, saying it will make them enter into the dynamic of the Beatitudes
– “Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they
will be satisfied.”
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