PREDICHE

The Gospels recount the life and carefully collect the teaching of Jesus of Nazareth: a wise man, a careful observer of the human, of nature, of everyday life; a man of authority and firm convictions; a man passionate for God and for people, especially the poor and suffering; a man capable of feeling the uniqueness of each person; a man of righteousness and integrity, who did not flatter, did not allow himself to be intimidated, did not play favorites, but advanced on his way without reverential fears; a man gentle and capable of affection and friendship; a strong man, capable of prophetic invectives, of lashing out at hypocrites and liars and harshly rebuking his disciples; a man who meets and speaks to crowds, a man who often retreats to a secluded place to nurture his relationship with the Father whom he calls "Abba, Dad"; a free man, who pays the price of his freedom by facing death; a man who has a reason to live and therefore also a reason to give his life: love always, love for anyone, even the enemy. These distinctive characteristics of Jesus also appear in his speaking in parables, where he "reads" and carefully interprets the reality around him and, drawing his teaching from the scenes of everyday life, almost issues a challenge to stimulate a decision in the listener. Following what has now become a happy tradition, the Festival dei 2Mondi proposes the cycle of "Sermons 2016" as a journey through some of Jesus' most significant parables, still capable of arousing the attention and questioning the conscience of contemporary man.

+ Renato Boccardo