At noon today in Rome (7:00am EDT), 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!
The gospel for this third Sunday of Lent (cf Lk 13:1-9) speaks of God's mercy and of our conversion. Jesus tells the parable of the sterile fig tree. A man planted a fig tree in his vineyard, and with much confidence, he goes every summer to look for fruit, but he finds none because the tree is sterile. Motivated by disappointment that has been repeated for three years, he considers cutting the tree down, in order to plant another one. He calls the gardener who has been in the vineyard and expresses his disappointment, ordering him to cut the tree down, so that it won't waste the earth unnecessarily. But the gardener asks his boss to have patience; he asks for an extension of one year, during which he himself will pay more attention and care for the fig tree, in order to stimulate it's productivity. This is the parable. What does this parable represent? What do the characters in the parable represent?
The master represents God the Father and the gardener is the image of Jesus, while the fig tree is a symbol of humanity that is indifferent and arid. Jesus intercedes with the Father in favour of humanity - as he always does - and asks him to wait and to grant some more time, so that the fruit of love and justice can spring forth. The fig tree which the owner in the parable wants to get rid of represents a sterile existence, incapable of giving, incapable of doing good. It is a symbol of those who live for themselves, filled up and calmly laid back in comfort unable to turn his eyes and heart to those who are close to him and to recognize those who are in a state of suffering, poverty and discomfort. This attitude of selfishness and spiritual sterility is countered by the great love of the gardener for the fig tree: he makes the master wait, he has patience, he knows how to wait, he dedicates his time and his work to him. He promises his master to take special care of that unhappy tree.
The gardener's concern manifests the mercy of God, which leaves us some time for conversion. We all need to convert, to take a step forward, and God's patience and mercy accompanies us in this endeavour. Despite the sterility, which sometimes marks our existence, God has patience and offers us the possibility of changing and making progress on the path of good. But the extension implored and granted while waiting for the tree to finally bear fruit also indicates the urgency of conversion. The winemaker tells the master: Leave it for this year (Lk 13:8). The possibility of conversion is not unlimited; therefore it is necessary to seize such opportunities immediately; otherwise they would be lost forever. We can think in this Lent: what must I do to get closer to the Lord, to convert, to cut those things that are not going well? "No, no, I'll wait for next Lent. But will you be alive next Lent? Let us think today, each of us: what must I do before this mercy of God that awaits me and that always forgives? What should I do? We can rely heavily on God's mercy, but without abusing it. We must not justify spiritual laziness, but we must increase our commitment to respond promptly to this mercy with sincerity of heart.
In the time of Lent, the Lord invites us to conversion. Each of us must feel challenged by this call, correcting something in our lives, in our own way of thinking, acting and living relationships with others. At the same time, we must imitate God's patience; he trusts in the ability of all people to be able to get up and resume the journey. God is our Father; he does not extinguish the weak flame, but accompanies and cares for those who are weak so that they may be strengthened and bring their contribution of love to the community. May the Virgin Mary help us to live these days of preparation for Easter as a time of spiritual renewal and trusting openness to the grace of God and to his mercy.
Following the recitation of the Angelus, the Holy Father continued:
Dear brothers and sisters,
Since 27 February, important discussions have been taking place in Nicaragua aimed at resolving the serious socio-political crises that that country is facing. I am accompanying that initiative with my prayer and I encourage all parties to quickly find a peaceful solution for the good of all those involved.
Yesterday, in Tarragona (Spain), Mariano Mullerat i Soldevilà, a father and a doctor, a young man who died at the age of 39 years, was Beatified. He took acre of physical and moral suffering in his brothers, bearing witness with his life and his martyrdom to the importance of charity and forgiveness. He is an example for us, of the cost of forgiveness. He is interceding for us and helping us to forgive walk the paths of love and fraternity, despite the difficulties and tribulations we may encounter. Let us applaud this new Blessed!
Today we celebrate the Day in memory of missionary martyrs. During the year 2018, throughout the world, numerous bishops, priests, nuns and lay faithful suffered violence; while forty missionaries were killed, almost double compared to the previous year. Remembering this contemporary ordeal faced by our brothers and sisters persecuted or killed because of their faith in Jesus, this is a duty of gratitude for the whole Church, but also a stimulus to bear witness to our faith and our hope in the One who has triumphed over hatred and violence forever with his love.
Let us pray for the numerous victims of recent inhuman attacks that have taken place in Nigeria and Mali. May the Lord welcome those victims, heal the wounded, console the families and convert cruel hearts. Let us pray: Hail Mary ...
I greet all of you, from Rome, from Italy and from various other countries, in particular the pilgrims from Pola (Croatia), Coslada (Spain) and the community from the Pontifical French Seminary. I greet the faithful from Dogana, Carpi, Faenza, Castellammare di Stabia; the group of associated women who are facing their particular pathologies together; the Scouts from Campobasso, the recently Confirmed young people from Cervarese Santa Croce, the young people from Renate, Veduggio and Rastignano who have made their profession of faith, the graduates from the Institute of Brothers from the Christian Schools in Turin and Vercelli, and those from the Suora Sorotea di Montecchio Emilia school.
Tomorrow, the Feast of the Annunciation of the Lord, I will go to Loreto, to the House of the Virgin. I chose this place to sign the Apostolic Exhortation dedicated to young people. I ask for your prayers, that Mary's yes may become a yes for all of us.
I wish you all a good Sunday. And 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!
The gospel for this third Sunday of Lent (cf Lk 13:1-9) speaks of God's mercy and of our conversion. Jesus tells the parable of the sterile fig tree. A man planted a fig tree in his vineyard, and with much confidence, he goes every summer to look for fruit, but he finds none because the tree is sterile. Motivated by disappointment that has been repeated for three years, he considers cutting the tree down, in order to plant another one. He calls the gardener who has been in the vineyard and expresses his disappointment, ordering him to cut the tree down, so that it won't waste the earth unnecessarily. But the gardener asks his boss to have patience; he asks for an extension of one year, during which he himself will pay more attention and care for the fig tree, in order to stimulate it's productivity. This is the parable. What does this parable represent? What do the characters in the parable represent?
The master represents God the Father and the gardener is the image of Jesus, while the fig tree is a symbol of humanity that is indifferent and arid. Jesus intercedes with the Father in favour of humanity - as he always does - and asks him to wait and to grant some more time, so that the fruit of love and justice can spring forth. The fig tree which the owner in the parable wants to get rid of represents a sterile existence, incapable of giving, incapable of doing good. It is a symbol of those who live for themselves, filled up and calmly laid back in comfort unable to turn his eyes and heart to those who are close to him and to recognize those who are in a state of suffering, poverty and discomfort. This attitude of selfishness and spiritual sterility is countered by the great love of the gardener for the fig tree: he makes the master wait, he has patience, he knows how to wait, he dedicates his time and his work to him. He promises his master to take special care of that unhappy tree.
The gardener's concern manifests the mercy of God, which leaves us some time for conversion. We all need to convert, to take a step forward, and God's patience and mercy accompanies us in this endeavour. Despite the sterility, which sometimes marks our existence, God has patience and offers us the possibility of changing and making progress on the path of good. But the extension implored and granted while waiting for the tree to finally bear fruit also indicates the urgency of conversion. The winemaker tells the master: Leave it for this year (Lk 13:8). The possibility of conversion is not unlimited; therefore it is necessary to seize such opportunities immediately; otherwise they would be lost forever. We can think in this Lent: what must I do to get closer to the Lord, to convert, to cut those things that are not going well? "No, no, I'll wait for next Lent. But will you be alive next Lent? Let us think today, each of us: what must I do before this mercy of God that awaits me and that always forgives? What should I do? We can rely heavily on God's mercy, but without abusing it. We must not justify spiritual laziness, but we must increase our commitment to respond promptly to this mercy with sincerity of heart.
In the time of Lent, the Lord invites us to conversion. Each of us must feel challenged by this call, correcting something in our lives, in our own way of thinking, acting and living relationships with others. At the same time, we must imitate God's patience; he trusts in the ability of all people to be able to get up and resume the journey. God is our Father; he does not extinguish the weak flame, but accompanies and cares for those who are weak so that they may be strengthened and bring their contribution of love to the community. May the Virgin Mary help us to live these days of preparation for Easter as a time of spiritual renewal and trusting openness to the grace of God and to his mercy.
Following the recitation of the Angelus, the Holy Father continued:
Dear brothers and sisters,
Since 27 February, important discussions have been taking place in Nicaragua aimed at resolving the serious socio-political crises that that country is facing. I am accompanying that initiative with my prayer and I encourage all parties to quickly find a peaceful solution for the good of all those involved.
Yesterday, in Tarragona (Spain), Mariano Mullerat i Soldevilà, a father and a doctor, a young man who died at the age of 39 years, was Beatified. He took acre of physical and moral suffering in his brothers, bearing witness with his life and his martyrdom to the importance of charity and forgiveness. He is an example for us, of the cost of forgiveness. He is interceding for us and helping us to forgive walk the paths of love and fraternity, despite the difficulties and tribulations we may encounter. Let us applaud this new Blessed!
Today we celebrate the Day in memory of missionary martyrs. During the year 2018, throughout the world, numerous bishops, priests, nuns and lay faithful suffered violence; while forty missionaries were killed, almost double compared to the previous year. Remembering this contemporary ordeal faced by our brothers and sisters persecuted or killed because of their faith in Jesus, this is a duty of gratitude for the whole Church, but also a stimulus to bear witness to our faith and our hope in the One who has triumphed over hatred and violence forever with his love.
Let us pray for the numerous victims of recent inhuman attacks that have taken place in Nigeria and Mali. May the Lord welcome those victims, heal the wounded, console the families and convert cruel hearts. Let us pray: Hail Mary ...
I greet all of you, from Rome, from Italy and from various other countries, in particular the pilgrims from Pola (Croatia), Coslada (Spain) and the community from the Pontifical French Seminary. I greet the faithful from Dogana, Carpi, Faenza, Castellammare di Stabia; the group of associated women who are facing their particular pathologies together; the Scouts from Campobasso, the recently Confirmed young people from Cervarese Santa Croce, the young people from Renate, Veduggio and Rastignano who have made their profession of faith, the graduates from the Institute of Brothers from the Christian Schools in Turin and Vercelli, and those from the Suora Sorotea di Montecchio Emilia school.
Tomorrow, the Feast of the Annunciation of the Lord, I will go to Loreto, to the House of the Virgin. I chose this place to sign the Apostolic Exhortation dedicated to young people. I ask for your prayers, that Mary's yes may become a yes for all of us.
I wish you all a good Sunday. And please, don't forget to pray for me. Enjoy your lunch and good bye!
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