In the midst of difficulties and problems of everyday life,
Christians must "focus" their attention "on the happiness and
joy," a call even more urgent in this time of Advent, during which the
faithful "prepare to welcome the coming of Jesus. " This is the message sent to the Catholic community of Nonthaburi, 20 km north of Bangkok, by Fr. Daniele Mazza, an Italian priest of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME), during Mass celebrated yesterday, the third Sunday of Advent.
To the faithful who flocked to the church of Our Lady of Mercy, the missionary recalled the words of St. Paul in his letter to the Philippians, which invites us to disregard a past "that you can not change," or a future "that is not predictable. " On the other hand, adds the Apostle, you must continue to seek "God's blessing in our lives."
Among the various testimonies, Fr. Mazza tells the story of a 41 year old man suffering from terminal cancer. Between pain and suffering, the priest said, he wanted to share the "secret" of his happiness, in this moment of "difficulty."
"Despite the illness - he says - my wife and my daughter are at my side. This is a great source of blessing that God has given me and which I want to give thanks."
This witness, adds the PIME missionary, is a reference to the second letter of Paul to the Philippians, in which the Apostle invites us to not worry too much about troubles, but to pray to God and pray for peace of heart.
Fr. Mazza has also called on those present to look at the crib, set up by young people of the parish, a nativity scene embellished with floral decorations, as a "reminder that Christmas is coming."