In his weekly General Audience, Pope Francis continued his catechesis on the “Our Father” prayer. This time he focused on the final petition “Deliver us from evil.”
The pope said this petition powerfully confronts the complete range of evil that is present in one's life; and in Christ's passion He experiences the full impact of evil.
Pope Francis stressed that no matter how much one is subjected to wickedness, Jesus will come to their aid. He added that in Jesus' prayer on the cross “Father forgive them for they know not what they do” shows the gift of His peace which is “stronger than every evil.”
SUMMARY OF POPE'S CATECHESIS
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
In our continuing catechesis on the “Our Father”, we now consider the final petition: “Deliver us from evil”.
This recognizes that life is fraught with difficulties, that evil is present in all of our lives, and so this final cry of the “Our Father” powerfully confronts the complete range of evil.
Jesus himself, moreover, has experienced the full impact of evil in His passion: not only death but death on a cross; not just loneliness but scorn; nor merely bad-will but cruelty.
The “Our Father”, resembles a symphony that seeks to be fulfilled in each one of us, for however much we may be subjected to wickedness, Jesus will come to our aid.
And His prayer on the cross – “Father forgive them for they know not what they do” – bequeaths us the most precious patrimony: the presence of the Son of God who delivers us from evil. Indeed, from here flows the gift of His peace, which is stronger than every evil; and herein lies our hope!
I greet the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today’s Audience, especially those from England, Scotland, Ireland, Denmark, Ghana, Namibia, Australia, India, Indonesia, Korea, China, Canada and the United States of America. I greet the representatives of university centers and institutes for studies on the family, gathered from different countries for the first Family International Monitor meeting, sponsored by the John Paul II Pontifical Institute. This meeting takes place on the occasion of the International Day of Families, which this year recalls the role of families in the care of creation, our common home. In the joy of the Risen Christ, I invoke upon you and your families the loving mercy of God our Father. May the Lord bless you all!
