Faith told St. Paul that his life was in the hands of God…
Today, Pope Francis made this observation to faithful gathered at the General Audience, which took place this morning in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall.
Francis continued his catechesis on the Acts of the Apostles, speaking again on the Apostle to the Gentiles.
Faith, the Pope reminded, led St. Paul to be certain he was safe and protected, as God “raised Jesus from the dead, and Who called him, Paul, to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth.”
“His faith,” the Pope also underscored, “also tells him that God, according to what Jesus revealed, is a loving Father.” For this reason, he said, Paul turns to his fellow travelers and, “inspired by faith, announces to them that God will not allow a hair on their heads to be lost.”
Recalling that hospitality is at the heart of this Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, he noted it “is an important ecumenical virtue, which is open to listening to the experience that other Christians have of God.”
“When we welcome Christians of a different tradition we reveal God’s love to them and receive the gifts that the Holy Spirit has sown in them. In this way, we Christians are challenged to overcome our divisions and to show Christ’s love more effectively to others,” he reminded, including to migrants like St. Paul.
Working together like this, Francis said, “will make us both better disciples of the Lord and more united as the People of God.”
The Holy Father gave a special greeting to English-speaking pilgrims, and during this ecumenical week, a special one to the students from the Bossey Ecumenical Institute in Switzerland. Pope Francis also greeted priests of the Institute for Continuing Theological Education of the Pontifical North American College.
“Upon all of you and your families, I invoke the joy and peace of our Lord Jesus,” he said.
Below is the Vatican-provided text of the Pope’s summary.
***
Speaker:
Dear Brothers and Sisters: Today’s catechesis occurs in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, whose theme this year – on hospitality – was prepared by the Christian communities of Malta and Gozo. The theme is based on Saint Paul’s dramatic experience of being shipwrecked at Malta, and the welcome he and his companions received there. Indeed, in contrast to the sea’s violence, the survivors received “unusual kindness” (Acts 28:2), reflecting God’s love for them. This hospitality was then repaid when Paul healed many sick people, thus revealing God’s merciful love. Hospitality is an important ecumenical virtue, which is open to listening to the experience that other Christians have of God. When we welcome Christians of a different tradition we reveal God’s love to them and receive the gifts that the Holy Spirit has sown in them. In this way, we Christians are challenged to overcome our divisions and to show Christ’s love more effectively to others, especially the many migrants who, like Paul, face danger at sea, as they flee from peril. Working together like this will make us both better disciples of the Lord and more united as the People of God.
Speaker:
I greet the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today’s Audience, especially the groups from Belgium, Korea, Australia and the United States of America. In this Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, I offer a special greeting to the students from the Bossey Ecumenical Institute. I also greet the priests of the Institute for Continuing Theological Education of the Pontifical North American College. Upon all of you and your families, I invoke the joy and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ. May God bless you!
[Vatican-provided English text]
The post ‘Faith Tells Paul His Life Was in Hands of God,’ Pope Says at General Audience appeared first on ZENIT – English.
Recent Comments