Pope Francis: The Christian life is about showing up

Last updated on: January 24, 2017 at 6:43 pm by CNA Daily News

Pope Francis: The Christian life is about showing up 2017-01-24T18:43:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Vatican City, Jan 24, 2017 / 11:43 am (CNA/EWTN News).- To live a Christian life, we can’t run away or hide from God’s will, Pope Francis said Tuesday. Rather, we must continuously show up – speaking to God in prayer and striving to do his will.

“The Christian life is this: Here I am, here I am, I continue to do the will of the Lord,” the Pope said in his homily at Santa Marta Jan. 24.

His homily reflected on the day’s first reading from Hebrews, where it says that Christ came into the world not for burnt offerings or sacrifices, but to do the will of the Father.

All of Salvation history is a story of people saying ‘here I am’ to God, he pointed out.

“And one after another…It's beautiful to read Scripture, the Bible, looking for the answers of people to the Lord, how they answered, and to find those is so beautiful. 'Here I am, I come to do your will.'”

And we don’t have to worry, because no matter what he is asking us to do, “The Lord is always in dialogue with those whom he invites” to do his work, Francis explained.

“He has lots of patience, lots of patience.”

Today's liturgy invites us to reflect and ask ourselves: 'How am I doing at responding to the Lord's call?' the Pope continued.

He invited attendees at the Mass to reflect: Do I hide like Adam in the Garden of Eden, not responding? Do I run away like Jonah, or look the other way like the Levite and the priest when they saw the man wounded and beaten by strangers?

Sometimes, in the course of our lives, we may get angry with God, Francis noted. But this can also be a way to pray: as our Father, “he likes to discuss with us,” the Pope said. Even if you are angry, still pray – tell God how you feel.

This is just another way of responding to God, of saying “here I am,” he said.

The alternative, Pope Francis said, is to hide, run away, pretend, or look the other way.

“Each of us can answer: How is my 'Here I am' to the Lord, doing his will in my life? How is it? May the Holy Spirit give us the grace to find the answer.”

Vatican

Previous Post

January 24, 2017

Vatican sends team to Aleppo in support of those suffering from the war

Next Post

January 24, 2017 At Planned Parenthood, 'women's health' often does not include prenatal care

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What are the names of the two witnesses in Revelation who prophesy for 1,260 days?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Peter and Paul They are not named Enoch and Elijah Moses and Elijah