On January 7, in Santa Marta, Pope Francis said that "I can feel many things inside, even good things, good ideas. But if these good ideas, these feelings, do not lead me to God who has become flesh, do not lead me to my neighbor, to my brother, they do not belong to God"..
The only criterion for knowing theology, for studying theology, is the criterion of the Incarnation. If I study it, I must not only reach the final exam, but also my neighbor. I start from a lesson, from a book, but if it is theology, I have to listen to those who are alone, to ask my neighbor what he needs. I must learn that the only book to read is the face of a poor person, the skin of a man who needs to be clothed, a mouth to feed. Not a distant man to be supported with money, but one to whom I become close and must support with my flesh.
Theology is not just a matter for priests: it is a matter for God and, therefore, for man.
An example of these days is the experience of Proactiva Open Arms. They are lifeguards from the Costa Brava -and not only from there- who started walking on the beach and have come, with death in their hearts, to save fugitives. They knew how to be lifeguards, and they have done it: lifeguards for fugitives in rough waters. The first lifeguards to arrive were four.
The first "weapons", neoprene and vests. Now there are many, people of all kinds. They have boats with outboard motors. And the money is what they have collected. They have until March. They have no economic plan, but the hands that have collected 115,000 people from the water are not afraid of not knowing how to collect money.
