杏MAP导航 at Audience: we are called to live the fullness of life
By Francesca Merlo
March 25 marks both the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord and the 25th anniversary of Evangelium vitae. 杏MAP导航 Saint John Paul II鈥檚 Encyclical, also known as the 鈥楪ospel of Life鈥�, is dedicated to the value and inviolability of human life.
The Gospel of Life
During his catechesis at the weekly General Audience, 杏MAP导航 Francis stressed the connection between the Annunciation and the 鈥淕ospel of Life鈥�. Today, we must explain this 鈥渋n the context of a pandemic that threatens human life鈥�, making the Encyclical鈥檚 opening words 鈥渇eel even more challenging鈥�, he said. The opening words read as follows:
The Gospel of Life is at the heart of Jesus' message. Lovingly received day after day by the Church, it is to be preached with dauntless fidelity as "good news" to the people of every age and culture.
As in every other Gospel proclamation, this must be 鈥榳itnessed鈥�, first of all, said the 杏MAP导航. The 杏MAP导航 expressed his gratitude to all those who are 鈥減utting into practice the Gospel of Life鈥� as they bear witness doing their best to help the sick, the elderly, the lonely and the destitute, he said.
Promoting and defending life
This is the life we are called to promote and defend, explained the 杏MAP导航. It is not an 鈥渁bstract concept鈥�, but is 鈥渕anifest through the person, in the flesh鈥�.
鈥 newly conceived child, a poor outcast, a lonely and discouraged sick person, someone who has lost their job or can't find one, a rejected or marginalised migrant...
God calls 鈥渆ach person to live the fullness of life鈥� said the 杏MAP导航. Unfortunately attacks on the human person persist even in this age, 鈥渢he age of universal human rights鈥�, he added. We face new threats, and laws do not always protect the weakest and most vulnerable.
The relevance of Evangelium vitae
For this reason, 鈥渢he message of Evangelium vitae is more relevant than before鈥�, continued 杏MAP导航 Francis. It goes far beyond the emergencies we are currently facing, he said.
It is a matter of acting on a cultural and educational level in order to transmit an attitude of solidarity, caring and welcome to future generations, knowing that the culture of life is not the exclusive patrimony of Christians. It belongs to all those who, working to build fraternal relationships, recognise the value of each individual person, even when he or she is fragile and suffering.
Every human life is unique
杏MAP导航 Francis confirmed that 鈥渆very human life鈥�.is of unique value鈥�, and we must always proclaim this with 鈥渢he courage of words and the courage of action鈥�.
The 杏MAP导航 concluded repeating Saint John Paul II鈥檚 appeal of 25 years ago: 鈥淩espect, defend and promote the dignity of every human person, at every moment and in every condition of that person's life". (Enc. Evangelium vitae, 5).
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