Advertisement MissioICN Would you like to advertise on ICN? Click to learn more.

Pope: All areas of human life are ground in which to sow seed of the Gospel


During the Angelus on Sunday, Pope Francis focused on the early days of Jesus ministry, in Galilee. This region, the Holy Father noted, was a kind of crossroads between the Mediterranean and Mesopotamian lands. Because of the presence of large numbers of pagans, for the Jews Galilee was seen as a geographical periphery. Little was expected from Galilee in terms of the story of salvation - but it was precisely here that the light of the Gospel began to be diffused throughout the world, not only to the Jews, but also to the Gentiles.

Here, following St John the Baptist, Jesus preached the coming of the Kingdom of Heaven. But unlike the Baptist, who waited for the people to come to him, Jesus chose the life of a wandering prophet, going out to meet the people.

Pope Francis noted that Jesus didn't simply proclaim the Gospel, He sought out companions to associate with Himself in His mission of salvation. He chose simple fisherman, Peter and Andrew, James and John, calling them not in an extraordinary manner, but in the routine of their daily lives. The fishermen, called to be "fishers of men", responded immediately to Jesus call.

"We, Christians of today, have the joy of proclaiming and bearing witness to our faith because of that first announcement, because there were those humble and courageous men who responded generously to the call of Jesus... Our awareness of the beginnings of the Christian mission, raises up in us the desire to bring the word, the love, and the tenderness of Jesus into every context, even the most impervious and resistant. All the spaces of human life are ground in which to sow the seed of the Gospel, that it might bear the fruits of salvation."

After the Angelus, Pope Francis noted that we are currently in the midst of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which has for its theme this year "Reconciliation - The Love of Christ Compels Us."

He reminded pilgrims that the week will conclude in Rome on Wednesday with the ecumenical celebration of Vespers at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls. "I invite you to persevere in prayer," the Pope said, "so that the desire of Christ, 'That they all might be one," may be accomplished."

Source: Vatican Radio

Adverts

Sisters of the Holy Cross

We offer publicity space for Catholic groups/organisations. See our advertising page if you would like more information.

We Need Your Support

ICN aims to provide speedy and accurate news coverage of all subjects of interest to Catholics and the wider Christian community. As our audience increases - so do our costs. We need your help to continue this work.

You can support our journalism by advertising with us or donating to ICN.

Mobile Menu Toggle Icon