At noon today (6:00am EST), the Holy Father, Pope Francis appeared at the window of his study in the Vatican Apostolic Palace to recite the Angelus with the faithful and with pilgrims gathered in Saint Peter's Square.
Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!
Today's gospel (cf Lk 5:1-11) offers us, in Luke's account, the call of Saint Peter. His name - we know - was Simon, and he was a fisherman. Jesus, on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, saw him while he was tidying up the nets, along with other fishermen. He came upon him while Simon was tired and disappointed, because during the night they had caught nothing. And Jesus surprised him with an unexpected gesture: he climbed aboard his boat and asked him to put out a little from the land because he wanted to speak with the people from the boat - there were so many people that the beach was crowded. So it was that Jesus sat down in Simon's boat and taught the crowd that was gathered along the shore. But his words also re-opened Simon's heart and made it possible for him to trust. So Jesus, with another surprising move, said to Simon: Put out into the deep and throw out your fishing nets (Lk 5:4).
Simon responded with an objection: Master, we have worked all night and we caught nothing ... As an expert fisherman, he could have added: If we didn't catch anything last night, all the less are the chances that we will catch something during the day. Instead, inspired by the presence of Jesus and enlightened by his Word, he said: but at your word, I will throw out the nets (Lk 5:5). This is a response of faith, that we too are called to offer; this is the attitude of availability which the Lord asks of all his disciples, especially those who have duties of responsibility in the Church. Peter's confident obedience results in a prodigious result: They did so and caught an enormous amount of fish (Lk 5:6).
It was a miraculous catch of fish, a sign of the power of the word of Jesus: when we place ourselves generously at his service, He does great things in us. This is how he acts with each one of us: he asks us to welcome him on the boat of our life, to start again with him and to furrow a new sea, which reveals itself to be full of surprises. His invitation to go out into the open sea of the humanity of our time, to be witnesses of goodness and mercy, gives new meaning to our existence, which often risks becoming comfortable within itself. Sometimes we may be surprised and hesitant in the face of the call that the Divine Master addresses to us, and we are tempted to refuse it because of our inadequacy. Even Peter, after that incredible catch of fish, said to Jesus: Lord, turn away from me, for I am a sinner (Lk 5:8). This humble prayer is beautiful: Lord, turn away from me, for I am a sinner. But he said it on his knees before the One who he now recognizes as Lord. And Jesus encourages him saying: Do not be afraid; from now on you will be a fisher of men (Lk 5:10), because if we trust God, He will free us from our sin and open up new horizons before us: to collaborate in his mission.
The greatest miracle accomplished by Jesus for Simon and the other fishermen who were disappointed and tired, is not so much the net full of fish, as having helped them not to fall victim to disappointment and discouragement in the face of defeats. He opened them up to become proclaimers and witnesses of his word and of the kingdom of God. And the disciples' response was immediate and total: They pulled the boats ashore, left everything and followed him (Lk 5:11). May the Blessed Virgin, a model of prompt adherence to the will of God, help us to feel the appeal of the Lord's call, and make us available to collaborate with him in order to spread his word of salvation everywhere.
Following the recitation of the Angelus, the Holy Father continued:
Dear brothers and sisters,
Two days ago, during the liturgical memorial of Saint Josephine Bakhita, we observed the fifth World Day against human trafficking. The motto chosen for this year is Together against trafficking (applause in the Square) - Do it again! (more applause). Together against trafficking! Don't forget this. I invite everyone to join forces in order to overcome this challenge. I thank all those who are combatting this front, especially many religious. I offer a special appeal to governments, that the causes of such plagues may be resolved and so that victims may be protected. But we all can and must collaborate by denouncing cases of exploitation and slavery of men, women and children. Prayer is the strength that sustains our common commitment. For this reason, now I invite you to pray together with me a prayer to Saint Josephine Bakhita: the one that was distributed throughout the Square. Let us pray it together.
I wish all of you a good Sunday. Please, don't forget to pray for me. Enjoy your lunch and good bye!
Greetings of the Holy Father, Pope Francis
prior to the recitation of the Angelus
Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!
Today's gospel (cf Lk 5:1-11) offers us, in Luke's account, the call of Saint Peter. His name - we know - was Simon, and he was a fisherman. Jesus, on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, saw him while he was tidying up the nets, along with other fishermen. He came upon him while Simon was tired and disappointed, because during the night they had caught nothing. And Jesus surprised him with an unexpected gesture: he climbed aboard his boat and asked him to put out a little from the land because he wanted to speak with the people from the boat - there were so many people that the beach was crowded. So it was that Jesus sat down in Simon's boat and taught the crowd that was gathered along the shore. But his words also re-opened Simon's heart and made it possible for him to trust. So Jesus, with another surprising move, said to Simon: Put out into the deep and throw out your fishing nets (Lk 5:4).
Simon responded with an objection: Master, we have worked all night and we caught nothing ... As an expert fisherman, he could have added: If we didn't catch anything last night, all the less are the chances that we will catch something during the day. Instead, inspired by the presence of Jesus and enlightened by his Word, he said: but at your word, I will throw out the nets (Lk 5:5). This is a response of faith, that we too are called to offer; this is the attitude of availability which the Lord asks of all his disciples, especially those who have duties of responsibility in the Church. Peter's confident obedience results in a prodigious result: They did so and caught an enormous amount of fish (Lk 5:6).
It was a miraculous catch of fish, a sign of the power of the word of Jesus: when we place ourselves generously at his service, He does great things in us. This is how he acts with each one of us: he asks us to welcome him on the boat of our life, to start again with him and to furrow a new sea, which reveals itself to be full of surprises. His invitation to go out into the open sea of the humanity of our time, to be witnesses of goodness and mercy, gives new meaning to our existence, which often risks becoming comfortable within itself. Sometimes we may be surprised and hesitant in the face of the call that the Divine Master addresses to us, and we are tempted to refuse it because of our inadequacy. Even Peter, after that incredible catch of fish, said to Jesus: Lord, turn away from me, for I am a sinner (Lk 5:8). This humble prayer is beautiful: Lord, turn away from me, for I am a sinner. But he said it on his knees before the One who he now recognizes as Lord. And Jesus encourages him saying: Do not be afraid; from now on you will be a fisher of men (Lk 5:10), because if we trust God, He will free us from our sin and open up new horizons before us: to collaborate in his mission.
The greatest miracle accomplished by Jesus for Simon and the other fishermen who were disappointed and tired, is not so much the net full of fish, as having helped them not to fall victim to disappointment and discouragement in the face of defeats. He opened them up to become proclaimers and witnesses of his word and of the kingdom of God. And the disciples' response was immediate and total: They pulled the boats ashore, left everything and followed him (Lk 5:11). May the Blessed Virgin, a model of prompt adherence to the will of God, help us to feel the appeal of the Lord's call, and make us available to collaborate with him in order to spread his word of salvation everywhere.
Following the recitation of the Angelus, the Holy Father continued:
Dear brothers and sisters,
Two days ago, during the liturgical memorial of Saint Josephine Bakhita, we observed the fifth World Day against human trafficking. The motto chosen for this year is Together against trafficking (applause in the Square) - Do it again! (more applause). Together against trafficking! Don't forget this. I invite everyone to join forces in order to overcome this challenge. I thank all those who are combatting this front, especially many religious. I offer a special appeal to governments, that the causes of such plagues may be resolved and so that victims may be protected. But we all can and must collaborate by denouncing cases of exploitation and slavery of men, women and children. Prayer is the strength that sustains our common commitment. For this reason, now I invite you to pray together with me a prayer to Saint Josephine Bakhita: the one that was distributed throughout the Square. Let us pray it together.
Saint Josephine Bakhita, as a child, you were sold as a slave and had to face untold difficulties and sufferings.
Once you were freed from your physical slavery, you discovered true redemption in your meeting with Christ and with his Church.
Saint Josephine Bakhita, help all those who are trapped in slavery.
In their name, intercede with the God of mercy, so that the chains of their captivity may be broken.
May God himself release all those who have been threatened, injured or mistreated by trafficking and trafficking in human beings. May He bring relief to those who have survived their slavery and teach them to see Jesus as a model of faith and hope so that their wounds may be healed.
We beseech you to pray and intercede for all of us: so that we do not fall into indifference, so that we may open our eyes and can perceive the misery and wounds of so many brothers and sisters deprived of their dignity and freedom and hear their cry for help. Amen.
Saint Josephine Bakhita, pray for us.I greet all of you, Romans and pilgrims! In particular, the faithful from Verona and the group known as Mendicants of Dreams from Schio.
I wish all of you a good Sunday. Please, don't forget to pray for me. Enjoy your lunch and good bye!
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