Our Stories Matter

The 2020 World Communication Day Message from Pope Francis, released last week, is based on a passage from the book of Exodus “So that you can tell your children and grandchildren…” (Exodus 10:2). This Message affirms that our life stories are part of the story of God’s love at work in the world.

Untold Heroism of Everyday Life

In his message, Pope Francis reminds us of the importance and power of our own stories which we create, live and share. They tell the story of God’s work in today’s world.

We need stories that reveal who we truly are, also in the untold heroism of everyday life. (Article 2, paragraph 3)

I am inspired often by the “untold heroism of everyday life” that is evident in parents’ love and sacrifices for their children; in compassionate care-givers; in teachers and coaches who unselfishly give of themselves to their students; in good neighbors; in volunteers for good causes; in law enforcement, first responders, and those who serve in the military willing to risk their lives for ours; and in so many others. None of these people see themselves as “heroes,” but we know that is exactly who they are.

Our Life Stories: An “Appendix to the Gospel”

After explaining that “Sacred Scripture is the Story of stories.” (Article 3, Paragraph 1) where God is both the creator and the narrator, Pope Francis focuses on our lives as a continuation of the story of God’s love at work in the world. He calls our lives “an appendix to the Gospel.”

By the power of the Holy Spirit, every story, even the most forgotten one, even the one that seems to be written with the most crooked lines, can become inspired, can be reborn as a masterpiece, and become an appendix to the Gospel… These stories cry out to be shared, recounted and brought to life in every age, in every language, in every medium. (Article 4, paragraph 2)

We love redemption stories, stories of courageous people who sacrifice everything to do the right thing. There is something in us that admires and appreciates people who do not give up, who work through overwhelming odds to do the right thing; people who do not let failures or mistakes define them. When we listen to and rely on God, their stories are our stories.

Pope Francis writes that when we tell our stories to the Lord, we open ourselves to new graces and possibilities.

When we remember the love that created and saved us, when we make love a part of our daily stories, when we weave the tapestry of our days with mercy, we are turning another page. We no longer remain tied to regrets and sadness, bound to an unhealthy memory that burdens our hearts; rather, by opening ourselves to others, we open ourselves to the same vision of the great storyteller…To tell our story to the Lord is to enter into his gaze of compassionate love for us and for others. We can recount to him the stories we live, bringing to him the people and the situations that fill our lives. With him we can re-weave the fabric of life, darning its rips and tears. How much we, all of us, need to do exactly this! (  Article 5, paragraph 1)

Our stories are works in progress. As long as we have breath, we have the power to write new chapters in our lives—stories that will encourage and even inspire those who will come after us to believe in the faithful love and care of God for each of us. That is the best story there is.

The Vatican and many dioceses celebrate World Communication Day on the Sunday before Pentecost which this year will be May 24, 2020.  You can read the complete 2020 Message for World Communication Day by Pope Francis here: https://www.catholicnewsworld.com/2020/01/pope-francis-world-day-of-social.html?spref=pi

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