During the Angelus, Pope Francis reflected on Jesus' teaching on the fulfillment of the Law. He reminded Christians of their call to live God's Law as an instrument of freedom, which he said can make them more free.
He warned against the danger of forgetting this attitude and becoming enslaved by sins and passions.
POPE FRANCIS
Let's think about war. Let's think about the consequences of war. Let's think about that girl who froze to death in Syria the other day. So many calamities, so many. This is the fruit of passions, and people who make war do not know how to master their passions.
The pope then said Jesus doesn't change the laws regarding murder, adultery, divorce and making false oaths. He said Jesus encourages truly accepting these laws instead of observing them merely out of formality.
POPE FRANCIS
Accepting God's Law in one's heart, one understands that when one doesn't love one's neighbor, one kills in some form oneself and others. Accepting God's Law in one's heart makes one understand that one's desires should be guided, because not everything one desires can be had.
Pope Francis then acknowledged how difficult it can be to live the Commandments so fully and deeply. However, he said, with God, it is possible.
POPE FRANCIS
Everything. We can do everything with God's grace! In fact, holiness is nothing other than guarding this gratuitousness that God has given us, this grace.
As usual, following the Angelus, the pope directed special greetings to pilgrims from various countries gathered in St. Peter's Square.
Claudia Torres
