Pope Francis at General Audience calls Christians to persevere amid trials
Jan 8,2020
At his General Audience, Pope Francis continued his reflection on the Acts of the Apostles. He explained how Paul risked his life to preach the Gospel not only on land but also at sea, eventually arriving in Malta, where he faced many trials. He recalled Paul’s perseverance even in the face of danger.
The pope also called Christians to follow St. Paul’s example by responding to “those who today experience shipwreck and arrive on our shores.”
SUMMARY OF POPE’S CATECHESIS IN ENGLISH
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
In our continuing catechesis on the Acts of the Apostles, we see the Gospel preached not only on land but also at sea, as Paul, now a prisoner, is taken by ship to Rome. From Crete, Paul warns the crew of the risk of further travel, yet they carry on into a near fatal storm. Paul encourages all on board not to be afraid, and recounts how an angel has told him that they will arrive in Rome. In this way, Jesus’ promise that his disciples would become his witnesses “to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8) would be fulfilled.
Landing on Malta, the travelers experience “unusual kindness” from the people of that place, but hazards too, as Paul is bitten by a viper. He himself is unharmed, and during his stay on the island he heals many of the sick. Paul’s sea voyage, full of peril and salvation, can serve as a symbol of God’s providential care for us through our passage from death to life in the waters of baptism.
May the Lord sustain us in our own trials and open our hearts to those who today experience shipwreck and arrive on our shores. May they find in us that fraternal love born of our saving encounter with Jesus Christ.
I greet the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today’s Audience, especially the groups from Australia and the United States of America. May each of you, and your families, cherish the joy of this Christmas season and draw near in prayer to the Savior who has come to dwell among us. May God bless you!
Claudia Torres
Pope Francis: Let us not be indifferent to shipwrecked people who arrive on our coasts
The pope stopped to greet several pilgrims before his first General Audience of 2020. He accepted a drink of mate and blessed many of those present, including people celebrating birthdays, like this little boy.
It’s his birthday.
His name is Massimo.
During the catechesis, he recalled the episode from Acts of the Apostles in which the boat in which St. Paul was travelling sank. The shipwrecked made it to Malta. There, the inhabitants took care of them.
Pope Francis emphasized three points. First, that St. Paul didn’t lose his faith despite the hardships. Second, that God used that faith to perform a miracle, allowing St. Paul to survive a viper bite. Lastly, the pope underlined the hospitality of the people of Malta.
POPE FRANCIS
The Maltese people are good, kind, welcoming. In those days, history says since that time, there have been no vipers in Malta. It was the blessing of God for the hospitality of such good people.
Pope Francis commented with admiration on St. Paul’s faith in God. He was never discouraged in front of the difficulties he faced.
He said his behavior and that of the people of Malta, who welcomed the shipwrecked travelers, are examples to follow.
POPE FRANCIS
May the Lord help us live each trial sustained by faith. May he open our hearts to those who, in history, experience shipwreck and arrive on our shores. May they find in us that fraternal love born of our saving encounter with Jesus Christ. This is what saves from the ice of indifference and inhumanity.
The audience ended on a high note with a performance by the Aqua Circus. They tell a story of fighting contamination of the planet’s oceans.
Javier Romero
Translation: Claudia Torres
© Vatican Media
Pope at General Audience: Like Paul, May the Lord Sustain Our Trials & Open Our Hearts
‘Paul’s sea voyage, full of peril and salvation, can serve as a symbol of God’s providential care for us’
Like Paul, let’s pray God sustain us along our trials and open our hearts.
Today, Pope Francis gave this invitation to faithful gathered at the General Audience, his first of the New Year. It took place this morning in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall this morning
Francis continued his catechesis on the Acts of the Apostles, noting that “we see the Gospel preached not only on land but also at sea, as Paul, now a prisoner, is taken by ship to Rome.”
The Holy Father reminded of all the perils Paul faced, and underscored how he did not get discouraged by them. When landing on Malta, Francis observed how he and others were struck by the “unusual kindness” from the people there, but hazards too. Luckily, Paul, other than being bit by a viper, was unharmed, and while there, he healed many people.
“Paul’s sea voyage, full of peril and salvation,” Pope Francis underscored, “can serve as a symbol of God’s providential care for us through our passage from death to life in the waters of baptism.”
The Holy Father prayed the Lord sustain us in our trials, and open our hearts, to all people, so “they find in us that fraternal love born of our saving encounter with Jesus Christ.”
Below is the Vatican-provided text of the Pope’s summary.
***
Dear Brothers and Sisters: In our continuing catechesis on the Acts of the Apostles, we see the Gospel preached not only on land but also at sea, as Paul, now a prisoner, is taken by ship to Rome. From Crete, Paul warns the crew of the risk of further travel, yet they carry on into a near fatal storm. Paul encourages all on board not to be afraid, and recounts how an angel has told him that they will arrive in Rome. In this way, Jesus’ promise that his disciples would become his witnesses “to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8) would be fulfilled. Landing on Malta, the travellers experience “unusual kindness” from the people of that place, but hazards too, as Paul is bitten by a viper. He himself is unharmed, and during his stay on the island he heals many of the sick. Paul’s sea voyage, full of peril and salvation, can serve as a symbol of God’s providential care for us through our passage from death to life in the waters of baptism. May the Lord sustain us in our own trials and open our hearts to those who today experience shipwreck and arrive on our shores. May they find in us that fraternal love born of our saving encounter with Jesus Christ.
Speaker:
I greet the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today’s Audience, especially the groups from Australia and the United States of America. May each of you, and your families, cherish the joy of this Christmas season and draw near in prayer to the Saviour who has come to dwell among us. May God bless you!
Read the source: https://zenit.org/articles/pope-at-general-audience-like-paul-may-the-lord-sustain-our-trials-open-our-hearts/
[Vatican-provided English text]