During his General Audience, Pope Francis continued his catechesis on the Acts of the Apostles. This week he focused “on how the Lord strengthens the early Christian community.”
He used the example of St. Peter's ministry who, despite threatened by attacks, “carries out Christ’s own work of healing.”
The pope added that St Peter's response when the Sadducees try to stop the Apostles' teaching “we must obey God rather than men” is the key to the Christian life.
Pope Francis concluded by inviting pilgrims to listen to “God without delay or reservation, and remaining faithful to him.” He stressed the need to serve others and ask the Holy Spirit for interior strength “of knowing that the Lord is always at our side.”
SUMMARY OF POPE'S CATECHESIS:
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
In our continuing catechesis on the Acts of the Apostles, we now reflect on how the Lord strengthens the early Christian community, enabling it to grow and to serve those most in need.
The vitality of the emerging Church, even when threatened by attacks, can be seen in the ministry of St. Peter. Like Jesus, he is drawn to the suffering, especially the sick and infirm, and – filled with the Spirit of the Lord – he carries out Christ’s own work of healing.
Yet such activity induces the hatred of the Sadducees, who imprison the Apostles and seek to put a stop to their teaching. Peter’s response, however, that “we must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29), provides us with a key to our Christian life.
This means listening to God without delay or reservation, and remaining faithful to him. As we strive to be of service to our brothers and sisters, let us ask the Holy Spirit for the interior strength of knowing that the Lord is always at our side.
I greet the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today’s Audience, especially
those from England and the United States of America. Upon you and your families, I invoke the joy and peace of the Lord. May God bless you!
