This morning's General Audience began at 10:00am in Saint Peter's Square, where the Holy Father, Pope Francis met with groups of pilgrims and the faithful who had come from various parts of Italy and all corners of the world.
Before arriving in the Square to begin the Audience, the Holy Father had greeted the sick and members of their family who were gathered in the Paul VI Hall.
During his weekly instruction, the Pope continued the cycle of catecheses dedicated to the Church, focusing once more on the image of the Church as mother, in particular the fact that she teaches us the works of mercy.
After having presented summaries of this teaching in various languages, the Holy Father added particular greetings for each group of the faithful who were present.
The General Audience concluded with the chanting of the Pater Noster and the imparting of the Apostolic Benediction.
Dear brothers and sisters, good morning.
In our itinerary of catecheses on the Church, we have paused to consider that the Church is a mother. Last week, we paid particular attention to the fact that the Church grows through the light and the strength of the Word of God which shows us the way to salvation and protects us from evil. Today, I want to focus on a particular aspect of this teaching action of our mother Church: that is, as she teaches us the works of mercy.
A good teacher concentrates on the essentials. He or she does not loose time in distractions, but wants to pass on that which is truly important so that the child or the student may discover the sense and the joy of living. The truth, what is essential, according to the gospel, is mercy. The basis of the gospel is mercy. God sent his Son, God became a man in order to save us, that is to show us his mercy. Jesus tells us this truth very clearly, summing up his teachings for the disciples: Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful (Lk 6:36). Is it possible for a Christian to exist without being merciful? No. Christians must always be merciful because this is the central focus of the gospel. Faithful to this teaching, the Church cannot but repeat the same thing to her sons and daughters: Be merciful, just as the Father is merciful, and just as Jesus too is merciful. Mercy.
In this way, the Church conducts herself as Jesus did. She does give theoretical lessons about love or about mercy. She does not promote a philosophy or a particular wisdom ... Surely, Christianity possesses these aspects, but as a result of reflection. The Church, our mother, like Jesus, teaches by example: words are used to illuminate the significance of her gestures.
Our mother, the Church teaches us to give food and drink to those who are hungry and thirsty, to clothe the naked. And how do we do this? We do this through the example of many saints who have done this in exemplary ways; but we also do it through following the example of many many mothers and fathers, who teach their children that what really motivates us is our care for those who are in need. It is important for us to know this. Even in the most simple Christian families, the rule of hospitality has always been held sacred: there is always food and a bed for those who need them. Once, a mother told me - in another diocese - that she wanted to teach this truth to her children. She told them to help those who were hungry by giving them something to eat; there were three children. One day during lunch - the father was at work - the three children were there, they were small: about 7, 5 and 4 years old - there was a knock at the door: it was a woman who was asking for something to eat. The mother said to her: Wait a moment, and she came back into the house and said to her children: There is a woman who is asking for something to eat, what should we do? We should give her something mamma, give her something! They all had steak and fried potatoes on their plates. Good, said the mother, let's take half of what each of you have and give her half of your steak. No mamma, they replied, we can't do that. Yes, she said, you have to give what you have. In this way, the mother taught her children to give their own food. This is a beautiful example which has helped me a lot. Take nothing for granted ... Give what you have! This is what the mother Church teaches. You, all the mothers who are here, you know what you have to do to teach your children to share their things with those in need.
Our mother, the Church teaches us to be close to those who are sick. How many saints have served Jesus in this way! And how many simple men and women, every day, put this work of mercy into practice in hospital rooms, or in homes for the aged, or in their own homes, helping those who are sick.
Our mother, the Church teaches us to be close those who are imprisoned. But Father no, that would be dangerous, those people are dangerous. Every one of us is capable ... listen to this very closely: every one of us is capable of doing the things that the men and women in prison may have done. Every one of us is capable of sin, of doing the same thing, of making mistakes in life. You and I are no better than they are! Mercy can surmount every wall, can overcome every barrier; it can help us to seek the true face of man, of the person. Mercy changes the heart, it changes our lives; it can even recreate us, enabling us to reintegrate into society and have a second chance.
Our mother, the Church teaches us to be close to those who are abandoned and those who will die alone. This is what Blessed Mother Teresa would do in the streets of Calcutta; this is what many Christians have done and continue to do as they reach out their hands to those who are about to leave this world. Even here, mercy bestows peace to those who leave and to those who remain, allowing us to know that God is greater than death, and that even our final parting is only until we see each other again. I learned this lesson from Blessed Teresa! They used to say to her: Mother, you're wasting your time! She would find dying people in the streets; in some cases the street mice would already have begun to nibble at their flesh, while they were still living, and she would bring them home so that they could die in a clean place, quietly, caressed and at peace. She would give them their goodbye, all of them ... Many men and women have also done the same. These are waiting now, there (pointing to the sky), at the door, to open for them the door that leads to heaven. Help people to die well, in peace.
Dear brothers and sisters, this is how the Church is a mother, teaching her children the works of mercy. She has learned them from Jesus, she has learned that this is what is essential for salvation. It's not enough to love only those who love us. Jesus says that even the pagans do that. It's not good enough to do good to those who do good for us. In order to change the world, to make it a better place, we must do good to those who cannot repay our kindness, like the Father has done for us by sending us Jesus. How much have we paid for our redemption? Nothing, it's completely free! Doing good without expecting something else in exchange - this is what the Father has done for us and we should do the same. Do good and the world will be a better place!
How good it is to live as part of the Church, within our mother, the Church who teaches us these things that Jesus taught. Let us thank the Lord, who has given us the grace to have the Church for our mother, the Church who teaches us the ways of mercy, the Church which is the path to the fullness of life. Let us give thanks to the Lord.
Following the Pope's catechesis, summaries of this teaching were shared in various languages, and the Holy Father greeted each group of the faithful who were present. To English-speaking pilgrims who were in attendance, he said:
I offer an affectionate greeting to all the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors present at today’s Audience, including those from England, Wales, Scotland, Finland, Sweden, the Czech Republic, South Africa, the Philippines, Canada and the United States. Upon all of you, I invoke the mercy and peace of the Lord, praying that you may share these gifts with all whom you will encounter. May God bless you!
Before arriving in the Square to begin the Audience, the Holy Father had greeted the sick and members of their family who were gathered in the Paul VI Hall.
During his weekly instruction, the Pope continued the cycle of catecheses dedicated to the Church, focusing once more on the image of the Church as mother, in particular the fact that she teaches us the works of mercy.
After having presented summaries of this teaching in various languages, the Holy Father added particular greetings for each group of the faithful who were present.
The General Audience concluded with the chanting of the Pater Noster and the imparting of the Apostolic Benediction.
Catechesis of the Holy Father, Pope Francis
for the General Audience
Dear brothers and sisters, good morning.
In our itinerary of catecheses on the Church, we have paused to consider that the Church is a mother. Last week, we paid particular attention to the fact that the Church grows through the light and the strength of the Word of God which shows us the way to salvation and protects us from evil. Today, I want to focus on a particular aspect of this teaching action of our mother Church: that is, as she teaches us the works of mercy.
A good teacher concentrates on the essentials. He or she does not loose time in distractions, but wants to pass on that which is truly important so that the child or the student may discover the sense and the joy of living. The truth, what is essential, according to the gospel, is mercy. The basis of the gospel is mercy. God sent his Son, God became a man in order to save us, that is to show us his mercy. Jesus tells us this truth very clearly, summing up his teachings for the disciples: Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful (Lk 6:36). Is it possible for a Christian to exist without being merciful? No. Christians must always be merciful because this is the central focus of the gospel. Faithful to this teaching, the Church cannot but repeat the same thing to her sons and daughters: Be merciful, just as the Father is merciful, and just as Jesus too is merciful. Mercy.
In this way, the Church conducts herself as Jesus did. She does give theoretical lessons about love or about mercy. She does not promote a philosophy or a particular wisdom ... Surely, Christianity possesses these aspects, but as a result of reflection. The Church, our mother, like Jesus, teaches by example: words are used to illuminate the significance of her gestures.
Our mother, the Church teaches us to give food and drink to those who are hungry and thirsty, to clothe the naked. And how do we do this? We do this through the example of many saints who have done this in exemplary ways; but we also do it through following the example of many many mothers and fathers, who teach their children that what really motivates us is our care for those who are in need. It is important for us to know this. Even in the most simple Christian families, the rule of hospitality has always been held sacred: there is always food and a bed for those who need them. Once, a mother told me - in another diocese - that she wanted to teach this truth to her children. She told them to help those who were hungry by giving them something to eat; there were three children. One day during lunch - the father was at work - the three children were there, they were small: about 7, 5 and 4 years old - there was a knock at the door: it was a woman who was asking for something to eat. The mother said to her: Wait a moment, and she came back into the house and said to her children: There is a woman who is asking for something to eat, what should we do? We should give her something mamma, give her something! They all had steak and fried potatoes on their plates. Good, said the mother, let's take half of what each of you have and give her half of your steak. No mamma, they replied, we can't do that. Yes, she said, you have to give what you have. In this way, the mother taught her children to give their own food. This is a beautiful example which has helped me a lot. Take nothing for granted ... Give what you have! This is what the mother Church teaches. You, all the mothers who are here, you know what you have to do to teach your children to share their things with those in need.
Our mother, the Church teaches us to be close to those who are sick. How many saints have served Jesus in this way! And how many simple men and women, every day, put this work of mercy into practice in hospital rooms, or in homes for the aged, or in their own homes, helping those who are sick.
Our mother, the Church teaches us to be close those who are imprisoned. But Father no, that would be dangerous, those people are dangerous. Every one of us is capable ... listen to this very closely: every one of us is capable of doing the things that the men and women in prison may have done. Every one of us is capable of sin, of doing the same thing, of making mistakes in life. You and I are no better than they are! Mercy can surmount every wall, can overcome every barrier; it can help us to seek the true face of man, of the person. Mercy changes the heart, it changes our lives; it can even recreate us, enabling us to reintegrate into society and have a second chance.
Our mother, the Church teaches us to be close to those who are abandoned and those who will die alone. This is what Blessed Mother Teresa would do in the streets of Calcutta; this is what many Christians have done and continue to do as they reach out their hands to those who are about to leave this world. Even here, mercy bestows peace to those who leave and to those who remain, allowing us to know that God is greater than death, and that even our final parting is only until we see each other again. I learned this lesson from Blessed Teresa! They used to say to her: Mother, you're wasting your time! She would find dying people in the streets; in some cases the street mice would already have begun to nibble at their flesh, while they were still living, and she would bring them home so that they could die in a clean place, quietly, caressed and at peace. She would give them their goodbye, all of them ... Many men and women have also done the same. These are waiting now, there (pointing to the sky), at the door, to open for them the door that leads to heaven. Help people to die well, in peace.
Dear brothers and sisters, this is how the Church is a mother, teaching her children the works of mercy. She has learned them from Jesus, she has learned that this is what is essential for salvation. It's not enough to love only those who love us. Jesus says that even the pagans do that. It's not good enough to do good to those who do good for us. In order to change the world, to make it a better place, we must do good to those who cannot repay our kindness, like the Father has done for us by sending us Jesus. How much have we paid for our redemption? Nothing, it's completely free! Doing good without expecting something else in exchange - this is what the Father has done for us and we should do the same. Do good and the world will be a better place!
How good it is to live as part of the Church, within our mother, the Church who teaches us these things that Jesus taught. Let us thank the Lord, who has given us the grace to have the Church for our mother, the Church who teaches us the ways of mercy, the Church which is the path to the fullness of life. Let us give thanks to the Lord.
Following the Pope's catechesis, summaries of this teaching were shared in various languages, and the Holy Father greeted each group of the faithful who were present. To English-speaking pilgrims who were in attendance, he said:
I offer an affectionate greeting to all the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors present at today’s Audience, including those from England, Wales, Scotland, Finland, Sweden, the Czech Republic, South Africa, the Philippines, Canada and the United States. Upon all of you, I invoke the mercy and peace of the Lord, praying that you may share these gifts with all whom you will encounter. May God bless you!
No comments:
Post a Comment