Reflecting on the reading from the Gospel of Luke on being merciful, “just as your Father is merciful”, Pope Francis said that is not a mere slogan, but a commitment for life.
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The Jesuit Pope noted that if we look at the history of salvation, we see that the whole revelation of God is a ceaseless and untiring love for mankind, and that Jesus’ death on the Cross is the culmination of the love story between God and man.
Pope Francis told a general audience of over 25,000 people in St Peter’s Square Wednesday that we should not “pluck” others with “criticism, envy and jealousy”. “Goodness and perfection take root in mercy”.
In his address, the Pope said that while “of course God is flawless”, if he is seen only in this way it becomes impossible for humanity to strive toward that model of “absolute perfection”. And pointing out that Jesus’ call to humanity to be as merciful as the Father can appear daunting, he said Jesus is not referring to “quantity” because of course it would be impossible for us to tend towards God’s absolute perfection, he is just asking us to try and be like Him: full of love, compassion and mercy.
But what does it mean to be merciful, the pope asked his audience.
Pope Francis also quoted from the passage which says “Stop judging and you will not be judged”.
The head of the world’s 1.2 billion Roman Catholics, who took the papal name Francis in homage to the famous Christian friar and his devotion to peace and forgiveness, has insisted violence committed in the name of religion has nothing to do with God. Because they have been forgiven.
“It is so easy to forgive: If God has forgiven me, why must I not forgive others?” the pope asked.
When it comes to giving, Francis noted that God always “gives well beyond our merits”, but will be even more generous with those were generous on earth.
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The Pope then discussed how Jesus has given us a second pillar: “giving.’ Francis reminded them of Jesus” advice: “For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you. Instead selfishness, anger, make the little heart, which hardens like a stone”. “If you prefer a heart full of love, be merciful!” “This way the heart grows, it grows in love. Is it really possible to love as God loves and be merciful like Him?”
