Pope Francis: There is only one Gospel

Pope arrives in Pope Paul Vi Hall - screenshot

Source: Vatican News

Pope Francis continued his catechesis on St Paul's Letter to the Galatians at the General Audience, which took place in the Pope Paul VI Hall on Wednesday.

"When it comes to the Gospel and to the mission to evangelize, Paul is enthusiastic,"the Pope said."Everything in him is dedicated to this proclamation, and has no interest other than the Gospel."

Pope Francis noted the sadness and disappointment Paul felt at seeing the Galatians taking a "wrong path, which would lead them to a point of no return."

For Paul, he said, the Gospel came down to four points: Christ died for our sins… was buried… rose from the dead… and appeared to the disciple. "This Gospel is the fulfilment of the promises and the salvation offered to all men."

But the Galatians were in danger of turning away from the Gospel, following new preachers who threatened to "distort the true Gospel" by "preventing them from attaining the freedom gained by coming to faith." These preachers of novelty wanted to impose on them the obligation to follow the Mosaic law.

For St Paul, however, there can be no other Gospel than that which he received from Christ, the Pope said. So "we can understand why Paul uses very harsh terms," insisting on the need to keep far from the community that which threatens it foundations.

Although the preachers of novelty seemed to be animated by good intentions, "seem to be inspired by fidelity to the tradition received from the fathers," they did not hesitate to cast suspicions even on St Paul, who they "considered unorthodox with regard to tradition."

Paul, however, knows that the Gospel he preached "is the only authentic one, because it is that of Jesus Christ." He "sees the great risk facing the young Christians."

Pope Francis made it clear that, "in this labyrinth of good intentions, it is necessary to extricate oneself in order to grasp the supreme truth that is most consistent with the Person and preaching of Jesus and His revelation of the Father's love."

St Paul's "clear and decisive word," the Pope said, "was salutary for the Galatians, and is salutary for us, too."

At the end of Audience Pope Francis made a special appeal for the Lebanon. He said: "In these days, I think especially of the beloved country of Lebanon a year after the terrible port explosion in its capital, Beirut, with its toll of death and destruction. I think above all of the victims and their families, the many injured, and those who lost their homes and livelihoods. So many people have lost the desire to go on.

"During the Day of Prayer and Reflection for Lebanon last 1 July, together with Christian religious leaders, all of us listened to the hopes and aspirations, the frustrations and weariness of the Lebanese people, and we prayed for God's gift of hope to overcome this difficult crisis.

"Today I would also appeal to the international community to offer Lebanon concrete assistance, not only with words but with concrete actions in undertaking a journey of "resurrection". It is my hope that the current International Conference hosted by France with the support of the United Nations will prove productive in this regard.

"Dear Lebanese friends, I greatly desire to visit you and I continue to pray for you, so that Lebanon will once more be a message of peace and fraternity for the entire Middle East."

LINKS

Read the text of Pope Francis' catechesis: www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/audiences/2021/documents/papa-francesco_20210804_udienza-generale.html

Watch the Audience on the Vatican Youtube channel: www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2V8yKd7baw