For Pope, man's freedom is not enough, God’s redemption is needed
In today’s jubilee audience, Francis looked at the "illusion" of those who think they are free. How many illusions are being sold under the pretext of freedom, and how many new forms of slavery are being created in our time in the name of a false freedom!” Only the liberation that comes from God is needed. After the catechesis, the pontiff turned his thoughts to the members of Italy’s Civil Protection Service, “who were supposed to be present, but cancelled to continue the valuable work of aid and assistance to people affected by the 24 August earthquake. I thank them for their dedication and the generous help offered these days! Thank you, brothers and sisters!”
Vatican City (AsiaNews) – Pope Francis spoke today in St Peter’s Square during his Jubilee Audience. In his address, he said that man “today no longer loves to think of being liberated and saved by God’s intervention. In fact, man today is under the illusion that his freedom is a force with which to obtain all things. he even boasts about it. But in reality, it is not like this. How many illusions are being sold under the pretext of freedom, and how many new forms of slavery are being created in our time in the name of a false freedom!”
The pope focused his address on redemption, which he said is “little used, but is fundamental because it points to the most radical liberation God is able to perform for us, for all humanity, and for the entirety of creation.”
The "new forms of slavery" that arise from man’s illusion has created "many, many slaves. ‘I do this because I want to do it, I take drugs because I like it, I'm free, I will do something else.’ They are slaves. They become slaves in the name of freedom. We have all seen such people eventually end up on the ground. We need God to deliver us from all forms of indifference, selfishness and self-sufficiency.”
By becoming one of us, Francis said, “the Lord Jesus not only takes on our human condition, but he also raises us up to the possibility of being children of God. By His death and resurrection, the unblemished lamb Jesus Christ has conquered death and sin to free us from their domination. He is the Lamb who was sacrificed for us, so we might receive a new life of forgiveness, love and joy. How beautiful are these three words: forgiveness, love and joy!”
“Certainly, it is true that life puts us to the test, and sometimes we suffer for it. Nevertheless, in these moments we are invited to turn our gaze to the crucified Jesus, who suffers for us and with us, as certain proof that God does not abandon us. Never forget, however, that in anguish or persecution – as in everyday suffering – we are always freed by the merciful hand of God, who raises us to himself and leads us to new life.”
God’s love, Francis said in concluding, "is boundless. We discover new signs that show his attention towards us; especially his willingness to reach and go before us. Our whole life, though marked by the fragility of sin, is placed under the gaze of God who loves us. How many pages of Holy Scripture tell us about the presence, closeness, and tenderness of God for all people, especially for children, the poor and the afflicted! God has a great tenderness – a great love – for children, for the weak, for those discarded by society. The more we are in need, the more his gaze on us is filled with mercy. He shows a merciful compassion towards us because he knows our weaknesses. He knows our sins and forgive us; he always forgives! He is so good; our Father is very good.”
After the greetings in various languages, the pope turned his thoughts to members of " the National Civil Protection Service, who were supposed to be present, but cancelled to continue the valuable work of aid and assistance to people affected by the 24 August earthquake. I thank them for their dedication and the generous help offered these days! Thank you, brothers and sisters!”
Lastly, the pontiff had a special greeting for "the kids of Azione Cattolica gathered for the Festival dei ragazzi (youth festival). I encourage you to continue along this path, forever cultivating the values of love for the family and respect for creation, our common home. I greet the participants to the Jubilee from universities and research centres, in the hope that teaching is rich in values, to train people who can make fruitful the talents that God has entrusted upon them."
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23/07/2018
31/05/2016 11:17
