Homily of Pope Francis at the Mass celebrated in Singapore

We offer the official version provided by the Vatican of the homily delivered by Pope Francis during the celebration of the Eucharist at the National Stadium in Singapore on September 12, 2024.

“Knowledge fills with pride, while love builds up” (1 Cor 8:1). Saint Paul addresses these words to the brothers and sisters of the Christian community of Corinth – which was a community rich in multiple charisms (cf. 1 Cor 1:4-5) – to whom the Apostle himself, in his letters, frequently recommends cultivating communion in charity.

We hear these same words as we together thank the Lord for the Church of Singapore, which is also rich in gifts, alive, growing and in constructive dialogue with the different faiths and religions with which it shares this wonderful land.

Precisely for this reason, I would like to comment on the same words, inspired by the beauty of this city and the great and daring architectures that contribute to making it so famous and fascinating, starting with the impressive National Stadium complex in which we find ourselves. And I would like to do so remembering that, ultimately, even at the origin of these imposing constructions – as in the origin of any other project that leaves a positive mark on this world -, money is not in the first place, as many think, nor technique, not even engineering—all useful means—but ultimately love, “the love that builds.”

Perhaps some might think that this is a naive statement, but if we reflect carefully, this is not the case. In fact, there is no good work behind which there are not, perhaps, brilliant, strong, rich, creative people, although they are always fragile women and men, like us, for whom without love there is no life, no impulse, no reason to act, no strength to build.

Dear brothers and sisters, if something good exists and remains in this world, it is only because, in multiple and varied circumstances, love has prevailed over hate, solidarity over indifference, generosity over selfishness. If it were not for that, no one here would have been able to grow such a large metropolis, the architects would not have made projects, the workers would not have worked and nothing would have been possible.

Thus, what we see is a sign, and behind each of the works before us there are many love stories to discover. Stories of men and women united with each other in a community; of citizens committed to their country; of mothers and fathers worried about their families; of professionals and workers of all types and degrees, sincerely involved in their various roles and tasks. And it is good that we learn to interpret these stories, written on the facades of our houses and on the layouts of our streets, and to transmit their memory, to remind us that nothing lasting is born and grows without love.

Sometimes the greatness and grandeur of our projects can make us forget this, deceiving us into thinking that we can be the authors of ourselves, of our wealth, of our well-being, of our happiness; However, in the end life ends up returning us to the only reality, that without love we are nothing.

Faith, then, confirms and enlightens us even more about this certainty, because it tells us that at the root of our capacity to love and be loved is God himself, who with the heart of a Father desired us and called us into the existence of in a totally free way (cf. 1 Cor 8:6) and that, in an equally free way, he has redeemed us and freed us from sin and death, through the death and resurrection of his Only Begotten Son. In Him is the origin and fulfillment of everything we are and what we can become.

Thus, in our love we see a reflection of the love of God, as Saint John Paul II stated on the occasion of his visit to this earth, adding an important phrase, namely, that “that is why love is characterized by a deep respect for all. men, regardless of their race, their creed or any aspect that could make them different from us” (cf. Homily of the Holy Mass at the National Stadium in Singapore, November 20, 1986).

Some important words for us because, beyond how amazed we feel at the works created by man, it reminds us that there is an even greater wonder, which must be embraced with even greater admiration and respect. These are the brothers and sisters that we meet every day on our path, without preferences or differences. Testimony to this is given by the society and the Church of Singapore, so ethnically diverse and yet so united and supportive.

The most beautiful building, the most precious treasure, the most profitable investment in the eyes of God are us, beloved children of the same Father (cf. Luke 6:36), called in turn to spread love. The readings of this Holy Mass tell us about this, which from different points of view describe the same reality, that is, that charity is sweet by respecting the vulnerability of the weak (cf. 1 Cor 8:13), it is provident by knowing and accompanying those who feel insecure on the path of life (cf. Ps 138), is magnanimous and benevolent in forgiving beyond all calculation and measure (cf. Lk 6:27-38).

The love that God shows us, and that in turn invites us to practice, acts in this way: “he responds generously to the needs of the poor, he is characterized by mercy toward those who suffer, he is willing to offer hospitality, he is faithful.” in difficult moments, he is always ready to forgive, to wait”, to the point “of responding with a blessing to a blasphemy, this is the essence of the Gospel” (cf. S. JOHN PAUL II, Homily of the Holy Mass in Singapore National Stadium, November 20, 1986).

We can see this in numerous saints, men and women conquered by the God of mercy, to the point of becoming his reflection, his echo, his living image. And I would like, in closing, to mention two of them.

The first is Mary, whose Sweet Name we celebrate today. To how many people her support and her presence have given and continue to give hope! On how many of her lips her name has appeared and appears in moments of joy and pain! And this happens because in her we see the love of the Father manifested in one of the most beautiful and total forms: that of the tenderness of a mother, who understands and forgives everything, and who never abandons us. That’s why we entrust ourselves to her.

The second is a saint very beloved in this land, who found hospitality here many times during his missionary journeys. I speak of Saint Francis Xavier, who was received in this land on numerous occasions, the last of them on July 21, 1552, a few months before he died.

We have a beautiful letter from him addressed to Saint Ignatius and his first companions, in which he expresses his desire to go to all the universities of his time “crying out, like a man who has lost his mind, (…) to those who have more letters than will”, so that they feel driven to become missionaries for love of their brothers, saying from the bottom of their hearts: “”Lord, here I am, what do you want me to do?”” (Letter from Cochin, January 1544).

We too could make these words our own, following his example and that of Mary: “Lord, here I am, what do you want me to do?” May these words accompany us not only in these days, but always, as a constant commitment to listen and respond promptly to invitations to love and justice, invitations that continue to reach us today from the infinite charity of God.