Pope: life, the simple fact that we exist opens man's heart to prayer

Life "must always be defended and protected" and despite difficult days, it is full of a grace to marvel at. "The beauty and mystery of Creation generate in the heart of man the first movement that arouses prayer".

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - “Men and women of prayer guard the basic truths; they are the ones who repeat, first of all to themselves and then to all the others, that this life, despite all its tests and its trials, despite its difficult days, is full of a grace to marvel at. And as such it must always be defended and protected” said Pope Francis today, continuing the cycle of catechesis for the general audience dedicated to prayer on the theme: "The mystery of Creation" (Ps 8,4-5.10).

In the audience held in the library of the Apostolic Palace, Francis spoke of the "mystery of Creation. Life, the simple fact that we exist - he said - opens man's heart to prayer ". "The beauty and mystery of Creation generate in the heart of man the first movement that arouses prayer".

“The prayer of the human person is closely linked to the sentiment of wonder. The greatness of man and woman is infinitesimal in relation to the dimensions of the universe. Our greatest achievements seem to be very little… But we are nothing. In prayer a sentiment of mercy is overwhelmingly affirmed. Nothing exists by chance: the secret of the universe resides in a benevolent glance that catches our eyes. The Psalm affirms that we are made as little less than a god, crowned with glory and honour (see 8: 6). The relationship with God is the greatness of each human person: his or her enthronement. By nature we are almost nothing, small, but by vocation, by calling, we are children of the great King! It is an experience that many of us have had. If the events of our life, with all its bitterness, at times risks suffocating the gift of prayer within us, it is enough to contemplate a starry sky, a sunset, a flower, to reignite the spark of thanksgiving. This experience is perhaps the basis of the first page of the Bible.”

“When the great biblical account of Creation was written, the people of Israel were not going through happy days. An enemy power had occupied the land; many had been deported, and now they found themselves enslaved in Mesopotamia. There was no homeland, no temple, no social and religious life, nothing. And yet, just starting from the great story of Creation, someone began to find reasons to give thanks, to praise God for their existence. Prayer is the first force of hope. You pray and hope grows, it goes ahead. I would say that prayer opens the door to hope.”

“Men and women who pray know that hope is stronger than discouragement. They believe that love is more powerful than death, and that it will surely triumph one day, be it in times and ways we do not know. Men and women of prayer bear the reflection of light on their faces: because even on the darkest days the sun does not cease to illuminate them. Prayer illuminates you: it illuminates your soul, it illuminates your heart, and it illuminates your face. Even in the darkest times, even in the times of greatest pain.We are all bearers of joy. Have you thought of this? That you are a bearer of joy? Or do you prefer to bear bad news, things that bring sadness? We are all capable of bearing joy. This life is the gift that God has given us: and it is too short to be consumed in sadness, in bitterness. Let us praise God, content simply to exist. Let us look at the universe, let us look at the beauty and let us also look at our crosses and say: “But, you exist, you have made us this way, for you”. It is necessary to feel that restlessness in the heart that leads us to thank and to praise God. We are the children of the great King, of the Creator, capable of reading His signature in all creation”.