In his Wednesday General Audience, Pope Francis spoke of Christian hope which can firm believers against the storms of life, like an anchor, yet also
pushing one toward eternal life, like a sail.
He quoted Cardinal Newman, saying that when Christians have this kind of hope, they can act as '
consolers in the image of the Paracleteâ?¦ advocates, helpers and bringers of comfort to others.'
SUMMARY OF CATECHESIS IN ENGLISH
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
As we prepare to celebrate the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, our catechesis on Christian hope now turns to the Spirit and his saving work.
Saint Paul concludes his Letter to the Romans by praying that 'the God of hopeâ? will make us 'abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spiritâ? (Rom 15:13). As a gift of the Spirit, hope is both an anchor (cf. Heb 6:18-19) giving us security amid the storms of life, and a 'sailâ? driving us forward towards the safe harbor of eternal life.
The Spirit bears witness within our hearts to the consoling truth of Godâ??s promises and the inheritance that awaits us as his beloved sons and daughters (cf. Rom 8:16).
Filled with this hope, we can become, in the words of Cardinal Newman, '
consolers in the image of the Paracleteâ?¦ advocates,
helpers and bringers of comfortâ? to others. The Spirit, who brings hope to all creation (cf. Rom 8:20-22), also inspires in
us love and respect for this world in which we live. May this Pentecost find us, like Mary and the Apostles, gathered in prayer, and may the gift of the Holy Spirit make us 'abound in hopeâ?.
I greet the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in todayâ??s Audience, particularly the groups from England, Belgium, Norway, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Singapore, Korea, Tahiti, Uganda, Canada and the United States of America. I also greet the pilgrims who have come to take part in the Vigil of Pentecost on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. Upon all of you, and your families I invoke a rich outpouring of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. God bless you all!
MB
CTV
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