An authentic faith always implies a deep desire to change the world.

The Church is likewise conscious of the responsibility which all of us have for our world, for the whole of creation, which we must love and protect. There is much that we can do to benefit the poor, the needy and those who suffer, and to favour justice, promote reconciliation and build peace. But before all else we need to keep alive in our world the thirst for the absolute, and to counter the dominance of a one-dimensional vision of the human person, a vision which reduces human beings to what they produce and to what they consume: this is one of the most insidious temptations of our time.

Today Saint Paul has told us that in Christ we have become God’s adopted children, brothers and sisters in Christ. This is who we are. This is our identity.

The mercy of Jesus is not just sentiment: indeed it is a force that gives life, that raises man up!

True charity requires courage: Let us overcome the fear of getting our hands dirty so as to help those in need.

Our life must be centred on what is essential, on Jesus Christ. Everything else is secondary.

A small step, in the midst of great human limitations, can be more pleasing to God than a life which appears outwardly in order but moves through the day without confronting great difficulties.