The Church is Called ‌to Serve

The Pope reinforced the ⁢theme of his visit to Luxembourg, “Serving people,” drawing attention to the fact that service is an action and ‍”the heart⁤ of the gospel” ‍(Jn 13:13-17). He praised⁤ Luxembourg’s tradition of accepting ​people from outside, stating that accepting others ​is not⁤ only ​a matter of⁢ charity but also a matter of justice.

The ⁤Pope encouraged the faithful to continue practicing this tradition,‌ saying, “The spirit of the Gospel is one of acceptance,⁢ of being open to everyone.”

The Church in a Secular Society

Regarding the‍ second theme, “Mission,” the ⁣Pope emphasized ⁤the missionary mission of the Church in an increasingly secular society. He stressed the need for the Church to move forward with the times without ⁣giving up its core values.

The Pope said, “We cannot close‍ ourselves off in sadness, resignation or complaining and anger”; the church community must be “full of vitality” and always respond ​to the challenges of ‍the age. To achieve this goal, we must become an “evangelical church.”

The Joy of the Gospel

The Pope touched ​on the theme of joy, calling it “an integral part of the Christian faith.” He spoke about ‍the ⁤testimony given by the young man Diogo Costa before his speech, who shared his joyful experience ⁤of participating in World Youth Day last year.

The Pope said that Diogo’s joy ‍represented the message⁢ of the Gospel. “Our ‍faith is full of joy,⁣ it is a ‘dance’‌ because we know that we are children of God and God is our friend,” said the​ Pope.

A Call to Follow the Example of the Blessed Virgin Mary

This⁤ gathering was held⁤ in the context of the 400th anniversary⁤ of ‍the Luxembourg Church’s devoted⁤ devotion⁢ to Mary, Comforter ‌of⁣ the Sorrowful. The Pope encouraged the country’s church community in his farewell remarks: “Let us follow the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary in‍ comforting and serving people.”