During the General Audience, the pope continued his catechesis on prayer. As an example, he reflected on a “surprising” reaction from Jesus in the Gospel, according to Matthew.
He mentioned Jesus’ prayer in difficult times, recalling that when Jesus “faced hostility and rejection, he responds to God with praise.”
The pope said that this example of praise calls Catholics to respond as Jesus did “at times when we feel God is absent or evil seems victorious.”
SUMMARY OF THE POPE’S CATECHESIS
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
In our continuing catechesis on Christian prayer, we now consider the prayer of praise. Matthew’s Gospel tells us that Jesus himself, in facing hostility and rejection, responds by praising God. He thanks the Father for who he is and for his love in revealing himself “to mere children” (Mt 11:25), to the poor and humble of our world. Jesus’ example of praise calls us to respond as he did at times when we feel God is absent or evil seems victorious.
In this way, we come to view things in a new and greater perspective, for – as the Catechism teaches – through praise, we share “in the blessed happiness of the pure of heart who love God in faith before seeing him in glory” (No. 2639). We see this clearly in the example of Saint Francis of Assisi, who composed his famous Canticle of the Creatures when he was troubled by sickness and impending blindness.
In praising God for everything, even “Sister Death,” Francis, together with all the saints, teaches us the importance, in all the circumstances of our lives, of praising God who is always faithful and whose love is eternal.
I cordially greet the English-speaking faithful. May the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which we have just celebrated, remind us of our own baptism and inspire us to follow Jesus Christ
more faithfully each day. Upon you and your families, I invoke the joy and peace of the Lord. God bless you!
Christian Campos
