Pope: Do not be afraid to be Christian and live as Christians
Vatican City (AsiaNews) - "We must not be afraid to be Christian and to live as Christians," to have "more courage to witness to the faith in the risen Christ" who came to bring the "gift" of peace, "true, deep peace, "which" comes from the experience of God's mercy. " Another invitation to "go out" in the words of Pope Francis before the Regina Caeli, on Divine Mercy Sunday.
"On this Sunday which concludes the Octave of Easter - he told the 50 thousand people in St Peter's Square for the Marian prayer - I renew to everyone the Easter greetings with the words of the Risen Jesus: "Peace be with you! " . It is not a greeting, or even a simple wish: it is a gift, indeed, the precious gift that Christ gives to his disciples after passing through death and the underworld. He gifts peace, as he had promised, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you". This peace is the fruit of the victory of God over evil, it is the fruit of forgiveness. And so it is: true peace, profound peace, comes from the experience of God's mercy Today is Divine Mercy Sunday, by the will of Blessed John Paul II, who closed his eyes to this world on the eve of this memorial. "
"The Gospel of John tells us that Jesus appeared twice to the apostles closed in the Upper room: the first time, on the same evening of the Resurrection, and then Thomas was not there, who said if I cannot see and cannot touch, I do not believe. The second time, eight days later, Thomas was also there. And Jesus said to him, invited him to look at the wounds, to touch them, and Thomas exclaimed, "My Lord, my God." Jesus said: "Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed". And who were those who believed without seeing? The other disciples, the men and women of Jerusalem who, despite not having met the risen Jesus, believed the testimony of the Apostles and the women. This is a very important word on faith, we can call it the beatitude of faith. Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed. At all times and in all places blessed are those who, through the Word of God proclaimed in the Church and witnessed by Christians believe that Jesus Christ is the incarnate love of God, Mercy Incarnate. And that goes for all of us. "
"Jesus gave the Apostles, together with his peace, the Holy Spirit, so that they could bring the forgiveness of sins to the world, the forgiveness that only God can give, and which cost the blood of His Son. The Church is sent by the Risen Christ to transmit to humanity the remission of sins, and thus make the kingdom of love grow, sowing peace in our hearts, so that it may be affirmed in relationships, societies and institutions. And the Spirit of the Risen Christ casts out fear from the hearts of apostles and pushes them out of the Upper Room, to bring the Gospel. We also must have more courage to witness to faith in the Risen Christ! Let us not be afraid to be Christian and live as Christians!. We must have the courage to go out and proclaim Christ the Risen Lord, for He is our peace. " "Trusting in the mercy of the Lord forever, because He is waiting for us, He loves us."
An invitation which the Pope, after pointing out that this afternoon he will "take possession" of the cathedral of Rome, Saint John Lateran, addressed to the Neocatechumenal communities of Rome, who today begin a special mission on the streets of the city. "I invite all - he said - to bring the Good News, to all walks of life, "with kindness and respect"." "Go out into its streets and proclaim Jesus Christ, our Savior."
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