Is There a Future?

"The truth is that one cannot remain a prisoner of the past, for individuals and peoples need a sort of healing of memories so that past evils will not come back again. This does not mean forgetting past events; it means re-examining them with a new attitude and learning precisely from the experience of suffering that only love can build up, whereas hatred produces devastation and ruin. The deadly cycle of revenge must be replaced by the new-found liberty of forgiveness."

"Humanity does not wish to stray; on the contrary, it wishes to be raised! But to be able to rise it must use all its resources and above all it must rely on the superhuman power that comes to it in the person of Jesus Christ, Savior of the World and Redeemer of mankind."

"Faced with the darkness of death and the uncertainties of the future, we are invited to lift our gaze to Christ, not to forget what is here below, but to focus on the definitive goal of human existence, and thus to find the strength to move ahead and commit ourselves to building a better world."

"It is certainly impossible to comprehend the work of the Spirit in the Church and in the world by examining statistics or other means of human knowledge, since it exists on another level, the level of grace perceived by faith. His work is often hidden, mysterious, but always effective. The Holy Spirit has lost none of the propelling force he had at the time of Jesus and the Apostles."

"How can we fail to see in all this the work of divine Providence, who guides humanity and history towards more dignified conditions of life for all people?"

"God is preparing a great springtime for Christianity, and we can already see its first signs."

"Precisely because evil is still lodged in many hearts and sin is the ultimate cause of personal and social disorder, of all selfishness and oppression, of violence and revenge, it is necessary for Christians to engage in fostering the task of teaching peace by practicing forgiveness. Thus they will make themselves worthy of Jesus’ beatitude: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God (Mt 5:9). The Gospel words we have heard are demanding, beyond human logic, but capable of bringing about that revolution of love which starts by opening the heart to forgiveness and mercy: You have heard that it was said, you shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy. But I say to you. Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (Mt 5:43-44). These words invite us to conversion."

"When Christ says: ‘Do not be afraid,’ he wants to respond to the deepest source of the human being’s existential fear. He means do not fear evil, since in his resurrection good has shown itself stronger than evil. His Gospel is victorious truth."

"If we are to build a future of peace, brotherhood and justice, we must preserve intact the heart of that culture: faith in Christ."

"We would be succumbing to a false strategy if we tried to make complaining about today’s world and warning against its temptations the center of our life and activity."

"Bear witness that the serious problems of today can be solved if we succeed in making Jesus Christ present among the people."

"His word alone, his truth, gives freedom and allows people courageously to overcome the many conditions and types of social problems."

"With God nothing is impossible! What is especially possible is conversion, which can change hatred into love and war into peace."