Homily of Cardinal Juan de la Caridad García, archbishop of Havana, on the Solemnity of Saint Mary, Mother of God and on the 54th World Day for Peace.

Like the shepherds of Bethlehem, today we have also come running, in one way or another, to the house of faith, to the house of spiritual bread, to the house of love, to the house of Peace; and we are contemplating the Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph and the baby God lying in the manger.

In that cave, converted into a house, we see the impossible in human eyes: a father and a mother happy to be next to their child, God made man; rich are the wise men and poor are the shepherds, worshiping the child God together; angels singing glory to God in heaven and peace on earth.

We move everything from this cave to our house and we realize that our greatest wealth is the love of our parents, always together, next to their happy children. Our greatest wealth is being together in joys and sorrows, feeling loved and loving; be a staff for one another; not letting ourselves win in generosity; have one heart and one soul and if we manage to live the same as in the cave of Bethlehem, a great peace will flood our people because God is in our house and with everything and without nothing.

Pope Francis in his message today invites us to take care of nature, family, neighbors, the vulnerable, society; and this is the path of peace.

Pope Francis, quoting Saint Paul VI, tells everyone: Do not fear the Church. She honors them, forms honest and loyal citizens, does not foster rivalries or divisions, tries to promote healthy freedom, social justice, peace, and if she has any preference, it is for the poor, for the education of children and the people. , for the assistance of the abandoned and those who suffer.

And Pope Francis encourages us: Paths of peace are needed, which lead to healing of wounds. Artisans of peace are needed willing to generate healing and reunion processes with ingenuity and audacity.

And following this compass of the Pope; Dear husband, be a craftsman of peace and heal the wounds of marital breakdowns. A marital wound is a sword of pain that pierces the hearts of children.

Dear brothers who were in the same mother’s womb: put an end to your disputes and divisions. Their disagreements are a sword of pain that pierces their mother’s heart.

Dear fathers-in-law, sons-in-law and daughters-in-law, be more and more fathers and children. Their destructive criticisms are a sword of pain that pierces the hearts of children who love their parents and their wives.

Dear Havana residents: remember that we are all children of the Virgin of Charity, let us live as what we are, brothers, and let us treat each other like this in lines, on buses, in work, in difficulties, in thinking differently. Abuse among Cubans is a sword of pain that pierces the heart of the Virgin of Charity.

May the Lord grant peace of heart to each of our families, to the Church, to our people and to all humanity. It is our personal and silent prayer.

Youth Ministry of #LaHavana