Pope Francis: We are not alone on the path of life

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Source: Vatican Media

Pope Francis led the recitation of the Angelus prayer with pilgrims in St Peter's Square on Sunday, and invited Christians to renew their trust in the Lord, cultivating His presence through the Word and the Sacraments.

Reflecting on the day's Gospel in which Jesus asks the disciples: "Who do men say that the Son of Man is?" (Mt 16:13-20), Pope Francis said it is a question we too ask ourselves.

He noted that generally Jesus is seen as "a great teacher, a special person: good, righteous, consistent, courageous..." but .. this is not enough for Jesus who is not just an agent of history, a distant prophet: He is here for us today, He is God who is close to us!"

The Holy Father went on to explain that Christ is not a memory of the past, but the God of the present.

Jesus, he added, is alive and accompanies us. "He is at our side, He offers us His Word and His grace, which enlighten and refresh us on the journey.... He, an expert and wise guide, is happy to accompany us on the most difficult paths and the most inaccessible slopes."

Assuring believers that they are never alone on the path of life, he said Christ is with us and helps us on our way, as he did with Peter and the other disciples.

It is Peter, in today's Gospel, he added, who understands this and by grace recognises in Jesus "the Christ, the Son of the living God", not a character from the past, but the Christ, that is, the Messiah, "the Son of the living God, made man and come to share the joys and the labours of our journey."

Pope Francis said that if sometimes "the summit of Christian life seems too high and the path too steep," look to Jesus who walks beside us, welcoming our frailties, sharing our efforts and resting his firm and gentle arm on our weak shoulders.

"With Him close at hand, let us also reach out to one another and renew our trust: with Jesus, what seems impossible on our own is no longer so!" he concluded, inviting Christians to renew their trust in Him, to cultivate His presence through the Word and the Sacraments, and allowing themselves to be guided by Him together with their brothers and sisters, in the community.

In his greetings following the Angelus prayer on Sunday, Pope Francis spoke about his upcoming Apostolic Journey to Mongolia, which will take place from 31 August to 4 September.

Describing it as a "much-desired visit" he said it will be an opportunity "to embrace a Church small in numbers but vibrant in faith and great in charity."

The Holy Father recalled Mongolia's rich "religious tradition," which he "will have the honour of getting to know especially in the context of an interreligious event."

Pope Francis expressed his happiness "to be among" the Mongolian people "as a brother for all."

He concluded by thanking the civil authorities of Mongolia for the invitation and those "who with great commitment are preparing for my arrival."

"I ask all of you to accompany this visit with your prayers," he said.

LINKS

Watch the Angelus with Pope Francis on Vatican YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWyuwKd-c0I

Read the official text of the Pope's address: www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/angelus/2023/documents/20230827-angelus.html