Brothers and sisters 

The Lord peace you! 

On January 9th I was reached by the goodness of the Lord, and by the trust of Pope Francis, who appointed me bishop. The Bishop’s mission is not an easy one. The responsibility is great. I said yes to Pope Francis’ appointment, not because I feel capable, or because I am good or better than other priests. But because I couldn’t say no to God’s plan. If it were my plan I could have said: no. But the project is not mine. And after living 9 years in Nazareth, I learned with the Virgin Mary and with Saint Joseph to say yes to God’s plan. But… I really ask each of you: pray for me. You are my people, my people, my family and I will be bishop for you. 

The bishop has the task of teaching, of guiding the Church, of guiding the people of God to live the Gospel. 

This Sunday we heard the passage from the Gospel of Mark: the healing of the paralytic in the city of Capernaum. In the house of San Pietro. Here is the first message: 1. Where Jesus is present, there is always movement. And be careful: Jesus’ first look is not for the paralytic. His first glance is at those who were carrying the paralytic. On those they helped the paralytic. For their solidarity, generosity and above all for their faith. Here, here the healing does not happen through the faith of the paralytic, but rather through the faith of the person carrying the paralytic’s stretcher. Let’s say the paralytic’s friends. 

This gives value to a spiritual element of extreme importance in the Christian religion: intercessory prayer! And charity from brothers and sisters. That is, we can ask God for the healing of our brothers and sisters. And even more: It doesn’t matter whether they believe or not. A mother told me: Father, my son no longer comes to Church….Abuses alcohol. I say: keep praying. We must do like those who carry the paralytic: Who were four. Many brothers and sisters are paratic… alcohol, drugs, pornography addiction are diseases of the spirit. And the person can’t get out on his own. He needs someone who brings him…. Like those who brought the paralytic. 

Brothers and sisters, God sees our faith, and the miracle will happen. Do you know why miracles don’t happen? Saint Padre Pio would answer: because we don’t believe in miracles. 

And I insist: we must not wait for the miracle without doing anything, but we must be one of those who carry the paralytic. The second message: Jesus’ attention is not on the paralytic, it is not on the paralytic who cannot walk. Before healing him, Jesus says: your sins are forgiven. And here in Sacred Scripture there are two verbs reserved only for God’s action: Create and forgive. Jesus wants to forgive our sins. The sins that do not allow us to walk. The sins that paralyze us… and there are many sins that paralyze us…. 

Brothers and sisters, «The Gospel shows us Jesus who overcomes the paralysis of humanity. He describes the power of divine Mercy that forgives and erases every sin when he finds authentic faith. And his word today is for each one of us: “Get up and walk!” »He walks towards a brother or sister that you have left to speak to, to greet. Get up and walk and take care of your children, your wife, your husband, your friends…. Yes, his word is for each one of us, and this Word can heal us… amen…