The Pope has emphasized on many occasions that there is no future without being rooted in lived history. He has helped us understand that memory should not be considered as a "static body", but rather as a "dynamic reality". Through memory we pass on stories, hopes, dreams and experiences of one generation to another. He also reminds us that every story is born out of life and from the encounter with others.
Jesus used parables to communicate the vital power of the Kingdom of God, leaving listeners free to listen to these stories and relate them to themselves. The story's power is expressed in its ability to indeed generate change. An exemplary story possesses a great power of transformation.
In the current context, wherein there are innumerable interactions via social networks, one talks about information obtained through stories. Says C. Cox that "the format of the stories is about to become the main way for users to share information."
Reading the title of the World Communications Day, the question arises: "What will we have to say to future generations?" In these years, Pope Francis has offered us five stories:
- "That every human being, man, woman, boy, girl is the image of God": we are the image of God.
- "That living together is an art, a patient, beautiful and fascinating journey": we were born to live in community and in communion.
- "That everyone has his idea of good and evil and must choose to follow the good and fight against evil. This would be enough to make the world a better place": that our actions benefit others.
- "That nature is not a property that we can abuse at will, let alone the property of a few, but a gift of all, which we must cherish and protect": that our world is our home.
- "Paradise is one of the last words spoken by Jesus on the Cross, addressed to the good thief": that our place is paradise.
Once again, the Pope places the person at the center of his reflection, with the person's relationships and innate capacity for communication.
