This morning's General Audience began at 9:10am local time in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican where the Holy Father, Pope Francis met with groups of pilgrims and the faithful from Italy and from every corner of the world.
In his speech, the Pope continued the cycle of catechesis on the Acts of the Apostles, adding his meditation on the theme: There will be no loss of human life among you (Acts 27:22). The trial of the shipwreck: between God's salvation and the hospitality of the Maltese (Scripture passage: Acts 27, 15:21-24).
After summarizing His catechesis in various languages, the Holy Father offered particular greetings to each group of the faithful in attendance.
The General Audience concluded with the chanting of the Pater Noster and the Apostolic blessing.
Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!
The book of the Acts of the Apostles, in the final part, explains that the gospel continued its course not only over land but also by sea, on a boat that took Paul as a prisoner from Caesarea to Rome (cf Acts 27:1-28:16), through the heart of the Empire, so that word of the Resurrection might be known: You will bear witness to me ... to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). Read the book of the Acts of the Apostles and you will see how the Gospel, with the strength of the Holy Spirit, was made known to all people, became universal. Take it. Read it.
Navigation encountered unfavourable conditions from the beginning. The journey became dangerous. Paul was advised not to continue sailing, but the centurion did not give him credit and relied on the captain and the owner. The journey continued and a furious wind broke out causing the crew to lose control and let the ship drift.
When death seemed to be near and despair was pervading everyone, Paul intervened and reassured his companions saying what we have heard: «An angel of that God to whom I belong and serve, appeared to me ... tonight and said: 'Do not be afraid, Paul; you must appear before Caesar, and behold, God has wished to keep all your sailing companions for you' (Ac 27,23-24). Even in midst of trial, Paul did not cease to be the custodian of the lives of others and the animator of their hope.
In this way, Luke shows us that the plan that guided Paul to Rome rescued not only the Apostle, but also his traveling companions, and the shipwreck, from a situation of misfortune, changes into a providential opportunity for the proclamation of the Gospel.
The shipwreck was followed by the landing on the island of Malta, whose inhabitants demonstrated a warm welcome. The Maltese are good, they are meek, they have been welcoming people since that time. It rains and it's cold and they light a bonfire to provide the castaways with some warmth and relief. Here too, Paul, as a true disciple of Christ, continued to serve by feeding the fire with some branches. During these operations he was bitten by a viper but did not suffer any damage: people who saw this said: But this must be a great evildoer because he saves himself from a shipwreck and ends up being bitten by a viper!. They waited for the moment when he would die, but he didn't suffer any damage and was even mistaken - instead of for an evildoer - for a god. In reality, that benefit comes from the Risen Lord who assisted him, according to the promise made before ascending to heaven, when he addressed the believers: They will take snakes in their hands and, if they drink some poison, it will not harm them; they will lay their hands on the sick and they will be healed (Mk 16:18). The story says that from that moment there are no vipers in Malta: this is God's blessing in response to the reception extended by this very good people.
Indeed, the stay in Malta became a favourable opportunity for Paul to give flesh to the word that he was sharing and thus he exercised a ministry of compassion in the healing of the sick. And this is a law of the Gospel: when a believer experiences salvation, he does not keep it for himself, but puts it into circulation. Goodness always tends to communicate itself. Every experience of truth and beauty seeks for itself its expansion, and every person who experiences a profound liberation acquires greater sensitivity in the face of the needs of others (Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii gaudium, 9). A tried Christian can certainly get closer to those who suffer because he knows what suffering is, and can open his heart and be sensitive to solidarity with others.
Paul teaches us to experience our trials by pressing us closer to Christ, to mature our conviction that God can act in any circumstance, even in the midst of apparent failures and our certainty that whoever offers himself and gives himself to God for love, will surely be fruitful (EG, 279). Love is always fruitful, love for God is always fruitful, and if you let yourself be taken by the Lord and you receive the gifts of the Lord, this will allow you to give them to others. God's love always goes beyond our expectations.
Today we ask the Lord to help us live every trial sustained by the energy of faith; and to be sensitive to the many shipwrecked people throughout history who arrive exhausted on our shores, that we too may know how to welcome them with that brotherly love that comes from meeting Jesus. This is what saves us from the chill of indifference and inhumanity.
Testo originale nella lingua italiana
The Holy Father's catechesis was then summarized in various languages and His Holiness offered particular greetings to each group of the faithful in attendance. To English-speaking pilgrims, he said:
I greet the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today’s Audience, especially the groups from Australia and the United States of America. May each of you, and your families, cherish the joy of this Christmas season and draw near in prayer to the Saviour who has come to dwell among us. May God bless you!
In his speech, the Pope continued the cycle of catechesis on the Acts of the Apostles, adding his meditation on the theme: There will be no loss of human life among you (Acts 27:22). The trial of the shipwreck: between God's salvation and the hospitality of the Maltese (Scripture passage: Acts 27, 15:21-24).
After summarizing His catechesis in various languages, the Holy Father offered particular greetings to each group of the faithful in attendance.
The General Audience concluded with the chanting of the Pater Noster and the Apostolic blessing.
Catechesis of the Holy Father, Pope Francis
for the General Audience
Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!
The book of the Acts of the Apostles, in the final part, explains that the gospel continued its course not only over land but also by sea, on a boat that took Paul as a prisoner from Caesarea to Rome (cf Acts 27:1-28:16), through the heart of the Empire, so that word of the Resurrection might be known: You will bear witness to me ... to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). Read the book of the Acts of the Apostles and you will see how the Gospel, with the strength of the Holy Spirit, was made known to all people, became universal. Take it. Read it.
Navigation encountered unfavourable conditions from the beginning. The journey became dangerous. Paul was advised not to continue sailing, but the centurion did not give him credit and relied on the captain and the owner. The journey continued and a furious wind broke out causing the crew to lose control and let the ship drift.
When death seemed to be near and despair was pervading everyone, Paul intervened and reassured his companions saying what we have heard: «An angel of that God to whom I belong and serve, appeared to me ... tonight and said: 'Do not be afraid, Paul; you must appear before Caesar, and behold, God has wished to keep all your sailing companions for you' (Ac 27,23-24). Even in midst of trial, Paul did not cease to be the custodian of the lives of others and the animator of their hope.
In this way, Luke shows us that the plan that guided Paul to Rome rescued not only the Apostle, but also his traveling companions, and the shipwreck, from a situation of misfortune, changes into a providential opportunity for the proclamation of the Gospel.
The shipwreck was followed by the landing on the island of Malta, whose inhabitants demonstrated a warm welcome. The Maltese are good, they are meek, they have been welcoming people since that time. It rains and it's cold and they light a bonfire to provide the castaways with some warmth and relief. Here too, Paul, as a true disciple of Christ, continued to serve by feeding the fire with some branches. During these operations he was bitten by a viper but did not suffer any damage: people who saw this said: But this must be a great evildoer because he saves himself from a shipwreck and ends up being bitten by a viper!. They waited for the moment when he would die, but he didn't suffer any damage and was even mistaken - instead of for an evildoer - for a god. In reality, that benefit comes from the Risen Lord who assisted him, according to the promise made before ascending to heaven, when he addressed the believers: They will take snakes in their hands and, if they drink some poison, it will not harm them; they will lay their hands on the sick and they will be healed (Mk 16:18). The story says that from that moment there are no vipers in Malta: this is God's blessing in response to the reception extended by this very good people.
Indeed, the stay in Malta became a favourable opportunity for Paul to give flesh to the word that he was sharing and thus he exercised a ministry of compassion in the healing of the sick. And this is a law of the Gospel: when a believer experiences salvation, he does not keep it for himself, but puts it into circulation. Goodness always tends to communicate itself. Every experience of truth and beauty seeks for itself its expansion, and every person who experiences a profound liberation acquires greater sensitivity in the face of the needs of others (Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii gaudium, 9). A tried Christian can certainly get closer to those who suffer because he knows what suffering is, and can open his heart and be sensitive to solidarity with others.
Paul teaches us to experience our trials by pressing us closer to Christ, to mature our conviction that God can act in any circumstance, even in the midst of apparent failures and our certainty that whoever offers himself and gives himself to God for love, will surely be fruitful (EG, 279). Love is always fruitful, love for God is always fruitful, and if you let yourself be taken by the Lord and you receive the gifts of the Lord, this will allow you to give them to others. God's love always goes beyond our expectations.
Today we ask the Lord to help us live every trial sustained by the energy of faith; and to be sensitive to the many shipwrecked people throughout history who arrive exhausted on our shores, that we too may know how to welcome them with that brotherly love that comes from meeting Jesus. This is what saves us from the chill of indifference and inhumanity.
Testo originale nella lingua italiana
The Holy Father's catechesis was then summarized in various languages and His Holiness offered particular greetings to each group of the faithful in attendance. To English-speaking pilgrims, he said:
I greet the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today’s Audience, especially the groups from Australia and the United States of America. May each of you, and your families, cherish the joy of this Christmas season and draw near in prayer to the Saviour who has come to dwell among us. May God bless you!
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