
The women from the house we visited weren’t there because they wanted to improve their life. There were like the thief from the Gospel, they didn’t have a choice, but the Oblates with the volunteers gave them a choice to have Christ the Lord right in their midst so that even if the ladies have damaged their life they weren’t condemned into despair we could see in the criminal who was cursing Jesus. Some of the women attended the Mass, some didn’t, but the Lord Jesus was there sacrificing himself, like he did on Good Friday.
I missed some big and splendid celebrations for the conclusion of the Year of Faith but I knew that at that Mass with the ex-prostitutes I was given the view that was given to Mary and John who stood next to the cross. They saw Jesus saving a big sinner from despair. I witnessed the same. The Lord was brining hope and peace to the women who have got exploited so badly. No one can change what they have done to themselves but the Lord Jesus wants to extend his reign to them too. We can talk and discuss a lot about what Jesus’ kingdom means. However on this Solemnity I witnessed that Jesus’ kingdom is as real as real are sufferings and tragedies of our brothers and sisters. Even more, Jesus’ kingdom is not only real, it is necessary because only Jesus’ reign takes people from the path leading to despair. I thank God for Fr Francesco and the volunteers who take Jesus’ reign to the house of the ex-prostitutes, they extend Jesus’ kingdom beyond their own comfortable home and churches. Let us ask ourselves what we do for the growth of Jesus’ kingdom?