"A turning point in our reflection is to see where the Lord gives himself, because it opens the door to a concrete path. Since creation, the Lord has always given himself to us, taking our mud into his hands, our sin, our inconstancy , remaining faithful despite repeated infidelities", thus "our giving cannot fail to take into account this inevitable truth, which we know to be certain even in our personal and community history. Therefore, let us not avoid those who are blind, those who remain stranded on the side of the road, who are covered of leprosy or poverty, rather we ask the Lord to be able to see what prevents them from facing their difficulties".
Pope Francis says this in the message to the participants in the meeting with the institutions and aid bodies for the Church in Latin America, underway in Bogota.
At the center of the meeting with the institutions and aid organisations, Bergoglio explained that he wanted to raise "a reflection on the theme of gratuitousness".
"When we make an effort, as in the case of the aid given to the Church in Latin America - he said -, it is natural that we expect a result.
Not obtaining it could be considered a failure or at least leaves us with the feeling of having worked in vain. But such a perception would seem to be contrary to gratuitousness, which evangelically is defined as giving without expecting anything in return".
But, he explained, "God is the one who gives and we are only administrators of goods received, therefore we must not boast, nor demand compensation greater than that of our own salary, humbly assuming the responsibility that this gift requires of us".
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