Pacify wounded relationships and bring peace to the world

Reflection on the holy Gospel according to St. Matthew (12:14-21)

We all agree that Jesus was not a coward when he withdrew from the town where his enemies were plotting against him, but he did not want to and should not act in the same way as his enemies acted, his attitudes and actions went in the opposite direction to those that sought confrontation, violence, disqualification with perverse interests. So he left the town, but continued to do without fear what he had always done: to bring healing and joy to the lives of the people. Matthew specifically tells us that Jesus healed all who came to him. He did not discriminate or look at the possibilities of those who came to him. His service was for all. In the midst of suffering and opposition.

I think, then, that we as Dominicans should be encouraged by this example: We do not have to add fire to this often violent and selfish world; but neither should we stop fulfilling the mission that God has entrusted to us to preach the Gospel of Peace and Justice.

Here I allow myself to recall those words of the prologue of the Acts of the General Chapter of Bologna 2016, when asking what Jesus sends his disciples for, the Chapter answered: “we are sent to preach the mercy of God and our reconciliation with Him and with our brothers (cf. 2 Cor 5, 20). Dominican preaching, like Dominic’s, must pacify wounded relationships and bring peace to the world.”

So, brothers at the same time that I reiterate the Welcome we have given you yesterday, I invite you to renew in this chapter the commitment we have with the preaching of the Word of God, which never destroys and divides, but communicates and edifies.

God bless you all.

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