ANGELUS POPE FRANCIS
Saint Peter's Square
Sunday, 21 August 2016
Sunday, 21 August 2016
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| PHOTO: baresouldaily.blogspot.com |
Dear
Brothers and Sisters, Good morning!
Today’s
Gospel passage urges us to meditate on the topic of salvation. St Luke the
Evangelist tells us that while Jesus was travelling to Jerusalem, he was
approached by a man who asked him this question: “Lord, will those who are
saved be few?” (Lk 13:23). Rather than giving a direct answer, Jesus shifts the
issue to another level in an evocative way, which the disciples don’t
understand at first: “strive to enter by the narrow door; for many, I tell you,
will seek to enter and will not be able” (v. 24). Using the image of a door, he
wants his listeners to understand that it is not a question of numbers — how
many will be saved —, how many is not relevant, but rather, it is important for
everyone to know the way that leads to salvation.
This way
means entering through a door. But where is the door? Who is the door? Jesus
himself is that door. He says so in the Gospel of John: “I am the door” (10:9).
He leads us to communion with the Father, where we find love, understanding and
protection. But why is this door narrow, one might ask? Why does he say it is
narrow? It is a narrow door not because it is oppressive, but because it
demands that we restrain and limit our pride and our fear, in order to open
ourselves to Him with humble and trusting hearts, acknowledging that we are
sinners and in need of his forgiveness. This is why it is narrow, to limit our
pride, which swells us. The door of God’s mercy is narrow but is always open to
everyone! God does not have preferences, but always welcomes everyone, without
distinction. A narrow door to restrain our pride and our fear; a door open wide
because God welcomes us without distinction. And the salvation that He gives us
is an unending flow of mercy that overcomes every barrier and opens surprising
perspectives of light and peace. The door is narrow but always open wide: do
not forget this.
Once more,
Jesus extends a pressing invitation to us today to go to Him, to pass through
the door of a full, reconciled and happy life. He awaits each one of us, no
matter what sins we have committed, to embrace us, to offer us his forgiveness.
He alone can transform our hearts, He alone can give full meaning to our
existence, giving us true joy. By entering Jesus’ door, the door of faith and of
the Gospel, we can leave behind worldly attitudes, bad habits, selfishness and
narrow-mindedness. When we encounter the love and mercy of God, there is
authentic change. Our lives are enlightened by the light of the Holy Spirit: an
inextinguishable light!
I would like
to propose something to you. Let us think now for a moment, in silence, of the
things that we have inside us which prevent us from entering the door: my
pride, my arrogance, my sins. Then, let us think of the other door, the one
opened wide by the mercy of God who awaits us on the other side to grant us
forgiveness.
The Lord
offers us many opportunities to be saved and to enter through the door of
salvation. This door is an occasion that can never be wasted: we don’t have to
give long, erudite speeches about salvation, like the man who approached Jesus
in the Gospel. Rather, we have to accept the opportunity for salvation. Because
at a certain moment, the master of the house will rise and shut the door (cf.
Lk 13:25), as the Gospel reminded us. But if God is good and loves us, why
would he close the door at a certain point? Because our life is not a video
game nor a television soap opera. Our life is serious and our goal is
important: eternal salvation.
Let us ask
the Virgin Mary, the Gate of Heaven, to help us seize the
opportunities the Lord gives us in order to cross the threshold of faith and
thus to enter a broad path: it is the path of salvation that can embrace all
those who allow themselves to be enraptured by love. It is love that saves, the
love that already on this earth is a source of happiness for all those who, in
meekness, patience and justice, forget about themselves and give themselves to
others, especially to those who are most weak.
After the
Angelus:
Dear
brothers and sisters, I received the painful news of a brutal attack that
struck our dear Turkey yesterday. Let us pray for the victims, for the dead and
the injured, and let us ask for the gift of peace for all.
Hail Mary....
I cordially
greet all the pilgrims from Rome and those arriving from other countries, in
particular the faithful from Kalisz, Poland, and Gondomar, Portugal. I should
also like to greet in a special way the new seminarians of the Pontifical North
American College. Welcome to Rome!
I wish
everyone a happy Sunday. Please do not forget to pray for me. Enjoy your lunch. Arrivederci!
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