In my visits to Friars in different parts of the world, I see with my own hands how so many of our Entities bring together Friars from different cultures, languages, peoples and ethnic groups. Often these differences are a source of great conflict for the peoples in their respective countries, sometimes even leading to violence.
This mosaic of "people from every tribe, language, people and nation" (Rev 5:9) offers us the opportunity for a prophetic witness to the Gospel, which is addressed to all peoples without exclusion.
Throughout its missionary history, the Order has not formed entities on the basis of ethnic or tribal affiliation, even at the cost of having fewer vocations for this reason. Therefore, internationality and interculturality have been a characteristic of ours from the beginning, and we must value them and learn to practise them again.
There is a call here to "enlarge the space of our tent", to become an ever more hospitable Fraternity.
Living the Gospel is what binds us together as brothers and sisters and enables us to live in communion with so many others.
The Spirit of the Lord makes our unity grow through the many differences that characterise us: from Babel to Pentecost!
Crossing borders and barriers was the way of our Brother Francis, from the leper to the unbeliever, from the sinner to the most distant. In a world in which so many are migrating and crossing barriers, and many others are closing themselves within them, we can become a sign of an evangelical fraternity that opens doors, where everyone can feel at home, where the Spirit is constantly creating a new reality of communion.
The forthcoming Synod is an opportunity to grow in this sensitivity, if, while listening to different voices, we are ready to learn from others and not only to teach. In this way we will make our contribution to the Church, which is a pilgrim among the men and women of our time.
