In his Tuesday morning Mass, Pope Francis said that Jesus, intercedes for mankind, before God.
He described him as a lawyer who comes to one's defense, despite committed sins.
POPE FRANCIS
'Jesus shows God His wounds and with those wounds Jesus prays for us, as if telling God: 'Father, I paid the price ok? Help them, protect them. They are your children and with these wounds I saved them.â?
The Pope then added that Jesus doesn't just defend His flock. He also prays for it, so their faith may stay strong.
SUMMARY OF POPE'S HOMILY
(Source: Vatican Radio)
'The apostle John, thinking about these things and speaking of us, who are great sinners, says, 'Do not sin, but if any of you do sin, know that we have an advocate before the Father, one who prays for us, defends us in front Father, justifies us'. I believe we should really think about this truth, about this reality: Jesus is praying for me right now. I can go on in life because I have an advocate who defends me and if I am guilty and I have so many sins ... he is a good defense attorney and will speak of me to the Father'.
'He is the first' advocate and then sends the Paraclete. The Pope added that when we encounter problems or needs in the parish, at home, in the family, we must ask Jesus to pray for us. The Pope then asked: 'How does Jesus pray? I donâ??t believe he talks too much with the Father.
'He doesnâ??t talk: He loves. But there is one thing that Jesus does , today , I'm certain he does this. He shows his wounds to the Father and Jesus, with his wounds, prays for us as if to say to the Father: ' But, Father, this is the price of these! Help them, protect them. They are your children whom I have saved with these'.
Otherwise, why after the Resurrection did Jesus not have this glorious body, beautiful - with no bruises, no wounds from the scourging, everything nice? - but there were wounds. The Five Wounds . Why did Jesus want to bring them to heaven? Why ? To pray for us. To show the price [he paid] to the Father: 'This is the price, now do not abandon them. Help them''.
'We must have this faith - Pope Francis said â?? that right now Jesus intercedes before the Father for us, for all of us'. And when we pray we must not forget to ask Jesus to pray for us : ''Jesus , pray for me. Show the Father your wounds that are mine too , they are the wounds of my sin. They are the wounds of my problem at this moment in time'. Jesus the intercessor only has to show the Father his wounds. And this is happening today , at this very moment. Look at the words that Jesus said to Peter, 'Peter, I will pray for you that your faith may not fail''. 'We are confident that he is doing this for everyone'. 'We must have faith , concluded the Pope, 'in this prayer of Jesus with his wounds before the Father.â?
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