Dear brothers and sisters, happy Sunday!

In today’s Gospel Jesus invites us to consider how we will invest the treasure that is our life (cf. Lk 12:32-48). He says: “Sell your possessions and give alms” (v. 33).

He exhorts us not to keep to ourselves the gifts that God has given us, but rather to use them generously for the good of others, especially those most in need of our help. It is not simply a matter of sharing the material goods we have, but putting our skills, time, love, presence and compassion at the service of others. In short, everything in God’s plan that makes each of us a priceless and unrepeatable good, a living and breathing asset, must be cultivated and invested in order to grow. Otherwise, these gifts dry up and diminish in value, or they end up being taken away by those, who like thieves, snatch them up as something simply to be consumed.

The gift of God that we are is not made to be used in such a manner. We need space, freedom and relationships in order to come to fulfillment and express ourselves. We need love, which alone transforms and ennobles every aspect of our existence, making us more and more like God. It is not by chance that Jesus pronounces these words while he is on the road to Jerusalem, where he will offer himself on the cross for our salvation.

The works of mercy are the most secure and profitable bank where we can entrust the treasure of our existence, because there, as the Gospel teaches us, with “two small copper coins” even the poor widow becomes the richest person in the world (cf. Mk 12:41-44).

In this regard, Saint Augustine says: “If you gave a pound of coppers and received a pound of silver, or a pound of silver and received one of gold, you would be delighted at your luck. What you give will certainly be transformed; it isn’t gold, it isn’t silver, but eternal life that will come your way” (Sermon 390, 2, PL 39, 1706). And he explains why: “It will be transformed, because you yourself will be transformed” (ibid).

To understand what he means by this, we can think of a mother who embraces her children: is she not the most beautiful and richest person in the world? Or a boyfriend and girlfriend, when they are together: do they not feel like king and queen? We could think of many other examples.

Therefore, wherever we are, in the family, parish, school or workplace, we should try not to miss any opportunity to act with love. This is the type of vigilance that Jesus asks of us: to grow in the habit of being attentive, ready and sensitive to one another, just as he is with us in every moment.

Sisters and brothers, let us entrust to Mary this desire and responsibility: may she, the Morning Star, help us to be the “watchmen” of mercy and peace in a world marked by many divisions. Saint John Paul II taught us this (cf. Vigil of Prayer for the 15th World Youth Day, 19 August 2000). And in a beautiful way, so did the young people who came to Rome for the Jubilee.

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After the Angelus:

Dear brothers and sisters,

Let us continue to pray for an end to wars. The 80th anniversary of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki has reinforced throughout the world the necessity to reject war as a means of resolving conflicts. May those in power always keep in mind their responsibility for the consequences of their decisions, and not ignore the needs of the weakest and the universal desire for peace.

In this regard, I congratulate Armenia and Azerbaijan on signing the Joint Declaration of Peace. I hope that this will contribute to a stable and lasting peace in the South Caucasus.

The situation of the people of Haiti, however, is increasingly desperate. Reports of murders, violence of all kinds, human trafficking, forced exile and kidnappings continue to pour in. I make a heartfelt appeal to all those responsible to release the hostages immediately, and I ask for the firm support of the international community to create the social and institutional conditions that will allow the Haitian people to live in peace.

I greet all of you, the faithful of Rome and pilgrims from various countries, especially those from Woodstock, Georgia, in the United States of America, and those from the Diocese of Down and Connor in Ireland.

I greet the members of Operazione Mato Grosso from various Italian cities and the parish groups from Stezzano, Medole and Villastellone.

Thank you all for your presence and your prayers. Have a good Sunday, everyone!