When we read about Creation in Genesis, we run the risk of imagining God was a magician, with a magic wand able to do everything. But that is not so. He created human beings and let them develop according to the internal laws that he gave to each one so they would reach their fulfillment.

Preparation for marriage is very important. It's very, very important because I believe it is something that in the Church, in common pastoral ministry, at least in my country, in South America, the Church it has not valued much.

I think of the difficulties which, in various countries, today afflicts the world of work and business; I think of how many, and not just young people, are unemployed, many times due to a purely economic conception of society, which seeks selfish profit, beyond the parameters of social justice.

How many kinds of moral and material poverty we face today as a result of denying God and putting so many idols in his place!

We must walk united with our differences: there is no other way to become one. This is the way of Jesus.

Let us ask Mary to help us fix our eyes intently on Jesus, to follow him always, even when this is demanding.

In these times of suffering prayer is of even more help.