(ANS - Havana) - "What has Cuba got that three popes have visited it in less than twenty years?" It is a question that was asked by some Mexicans in Havana, and it is one that leads us to reflect on the present and especially the future of Cuba. During the Mass in the Plaza de la Revolucion yesterday, Sunday 20 September, Pope Francis has centred his reflections on the spirit of service that is not "servility" but a way of “putting your brother at the heart of the matter". It means “looking at your brother’s face, touching his flesh, and feeling his closeness, even if in some cases, it means 'having to bear it'.”

In an article published on the website of the Salesians in Cuba, Caruchy Castellanos, answers the Mexicans’ question. Yes, Cuba has something special. The list could be endless and everyone would have something to say. Castellanos says: "The truth is, we have been privileged to receive three Popes in different periods in the history of the nation. They opened doors and closed wounds that have marked our people for years."

This time Pope Francis has arrived in a climate of reconciliation, and has acted as a representative of the Church. He is a Pope who already enjoys great popularity and he uses appropriate times to plant the seed of faith and encourage them to grow and to strengthen the heart of Cubans.

The Salesians in Cuba played an active part in this story. Five young people from the San Juan Bosco parish in the Víbora district were chosen by the Youth Ministry Team of Havana to be the official welcoming committee at the José Martí airport. Anxious but happy, they left very early to get the Holy Father’s blessing.

Others from the two Salesian parishes of Havana are positioned on Avenida Bolleros to greet the Pope as he passes and pointing to a billboard that says "the Salesians welcome you."

For his part Pope Francis said that true service is what is needed.  However, he warned, "we must guard against the other service, from the temptation of service that meets our own needs" There is therefore the risk of having an interest in "seeking my own benefit, while calling it our benefit", forgetting the needs of others and creating "a form of exclusiveness".

We must avoid the temptation of "service that is self-serving". We are called by Jesus to "take care of one another out of love", and to avoid "looking over our shoulder to see what the neighbour is doing or not doing."

This spirit of service, is not "servility" but a way of “putting your brother at the heart of the matter". It means “looking at your brother’s face, touching his flesh, and feeling his closeness, even if in some cases, it means 'having to bear it'.”

"Service has nothing to do with ideology, since it is targeted at people, not ideas.”

Further information is available on the website of the Salesians of Cuba.

Published 21/09/2015