After a month-long break, Pope Francis resumed his catechesis on the Letter of St. Paul to the Galatians.
He reflected on St. Paul's insistence on complete fidelity to the Gospel. The Pope notes how forcefully St. Paul urges the Galatians not to turn away from the freedom brought by the Gospel.
Pope Francis explained that the Gospel offers “the assurance of new life and freedom” to everyone, not just the apostles.
SUMMARY OF THE POPE'S CATECHESIS IN ENGLISH:
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
In our continuing catechesis on Saint Paul’s Letter to the Galatians, we now consider Paul’s insistence on complete fidelity to the Gospel. For Paul, the proclamation of the Christian message was his very life.
What he preached to the Galatians was in fact the apostolic kerygma, which summarized the fulfilment of all God’s promises in Jesus Christ, who died for our sins, was buried, rose on the third day, and appeared to Peter.
This explains why, at the beginning of the Letter, Paul urges the Galatians so forcefully not to turn away from the freedom brought by the Gospel. For that Gospel, entrusted to the apostles, offers to all – ourselves included – the assurance of new life and freedom flowing from the cross of Christ and the gift of his Holy Spirit.
I cordially greet the English-speaking faithful. I pray that the coming summer holidays will be a time of refreshment and spiritual renewal for you and your families. Upon all of you I invoke the joy and peace of the Lord. May God bless you!
CT
