杏MAP导航

By Christopher Wells

As is customary in his visits to Roman parishes, 杏MAP导航 Francis took the opportunity to meet with parishioners of St Paul of the Cross before celebrating Sunday Mass for the community.

Ahead of the liturgy, 杏MAP导航 Francis met with young children in catechism courses, as well as the elderly, the poor, and the sick members of the parish; and later heard the confessions of several people.

Most needy at centre of the parish
 

In his meeting with the elderly, the Holy Father spoke of the 鈥渄uty鈥� of the parish to be there for the people, 鈥渂ecause those who have the greatest need are at the centre of the parish, and at the centre of the Gospel. Everyone faces difficulties in life, but our sorrows and difficulties should not allow us to take away our hope or our joy, the 杏MAP导航 said, 鈥渂ecause Jesus has come to 鈥榬ansom鈥� our wounds with His wounds.鈥� This, he said, is our joy, 鈥淛esus has paid for us, He is close to us, He wants what is good for us.鈥�

Jesus' ability to change hearts
 

杏MAP导航 Francis began his visit with a question and answer session with some of the children of the parish. In a light-hearted exchange, he promised to answer a question about his favourite Bible passage when the children agreed to read it when they got home. He proceeded to tell the story of the conversion of Matthew, which he said 鈥渟hows the power of Jesus to change a heart.鈥�

All are children of God
 

When one little girl asked whether those who are not baptized are children of God, the 杏MAP导航 said, 鈥淲e are all children of God. Everyone! Everyone!鈥� 鈥� good people and bad, even those who follow other religions, even Mafiosi. 鈥淕od has created everyone,鈥� he said. 鈥淗e loves everyone, and has placed in the hearts of everyone a conscience to recognize what is good, and distinguish it from what is evil.鈥� But when we are baptized, he said, 鈥渢he Holy Spirit enters into that conscience, and strengthens your belonging to God,鈥� and that, in a certain sense, 鈥渕akes you even more a daughter of God.鈥�

God has "the heart of a dad"
 

Finally, one little boy, overcome with emotion, was unable to ask his question鈥攕o the 杏MAP导航 invited him to come up and whisper in his ear. 鈥淗e was weeping for his father鈥� who had died a short time ago, 杏MAP导航 Francis said, 鈥渁nd he had the courage to do so in front of us, because of the love he has in his heart for his dad.鈥� The young boy asked if his father, who was not a believer, is in heaven.

鈥淗e was a good man,鈥� the boy said, and 杏MAP导航 Francis took up that thought. 鈥淚t is a beautiful witness鈥� he said, when a man鈥檚 sons can call him good. Answering the boy鈥檚 question, the 杏MAP导航 said only God can know who is in heaven. 鈥淏ut how does the heart of God look upon such a dad?鈥� he asked. 鈥淕od has the heart of a dad,鈥� he continued, and God would not allow such a father to remain far from Him.