杏MAP导航

By Deborah Castellano Lubov

For Christ's followers, every day is a 'time of grace' and new opportunity.

杏MAP导航 Francis gave this encouragement during his Wednesday General Audience in the Vatican's Paul VI Hall, as he continued his cycle of catecheses on apostolic zeal.

This week, the Holy Father explored  how Jesus himself chose to present His message. 

In the synagogue of Nazareth, at the very beginning of his public ministry, the 杏MAP导航 recalled, the Lord revealed that, fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy, He came to proclaim Good News to the poor and a year of favour from the Lord. 

The 杏MAP导航 said Jesus communicated with certain essential elements, especially joy, freedom, light, healing and awe. 

Gospel can only be conveyed joyfully

To witness to Jesus, to do something for others in His name, the 杏MAP导航 recalled, witnesses such a beautiful gift "that no words are sufficient to express it."

Instead, when joy is lacking, the 杏MAP导航 warned, the Gospel is not transmitted to others, the Good News, by its very nature, is "a proclamation of joy."

"A sad Christian can speak of beautiful things, but it is all in vain if the proclamation he conveys is not joyful," he said.

Contagious joy, a new life

We who have put our faith in Jesus and experienced the transformative power of His word, the 杏MAP导航 suggested, are called "not only to give thanks for this wondrous gift," but also "to share it freely and joyfully with others."

"For Christ鈥檚 followers," the 杏MAP导航 insisted, "every day is thus a 'time of grace' and a new opportunity" to bear witness to the Good News of God's mercy, forgiveness, and new life in Jesus.

God forgets everything when we ask forgiveness

The Holy Father underscored how "God forgets everything" when we approach Him asking forgiveness.

"He pardons everything," the 杏MAP导航 stressed.

God is the master of the surprises, the 杏MAP导航 said, noting He is always waiting for us.

The Lord waits for us

To welcome the Lord, we need to make ourselves poor interiorly.

杏MAP导航 Francis concluding by urging faithful to turn to Jesus, admitting we are not self-sufficient.

If we humbly express that we need Him, He will be there accompanying us, the 杏MAP导航 suggested.

Appeals

The Holy Father also made another appeal for wartorn Ukraine, saying for the faithful to pray for the country, each and every day.

杏MAP导航 Francis also remembered that later this week International Holocaust Remembrance Day will be observed, and recalled those suffering globally with Hansen's Disease.