Pope Francis focused his weekly catechesis on St. Paul's teaching on justification, as outlined in the saint's letter to the Galatians.
The Pope explained that “we are justified not by the observance of precepts and our own efforts, but by the grace of God through faith in Christ.”
He clarified that “the law remains a holy gift of God” and that “obedience to the commandments is essential to our spiritual life.” By following the commandments, he explained, we are responding to God's invitation to participate in his plan of freely given salvation.
SUMMARY OF POPE'S CATECHESIS IN ENGLISH
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
In our continuing catechesis on the Letter to the Galatians, we now consider Saint Paul’s teaching on justification. For the Apostle, God in his mercy, through the death and resurrection of Jesus, has offered definitive forgiveness and salvation to sinners, thus reconciling us to himself. Paul’s encounter with the risen Lord on the road to Damascus led him to understand that we are justified not by the observance of precepts and our own efforts, but by the grace of God through faith in Christ.
While the law remains a holy gift of God (cf. Rom 7:12), and obedience to the commandments is essential to our spiritual life, the grace of God, freely bestowed in Christ, is primary. The faith born of our experience of God’s saving love should transform every aspect of our lives and bear fruit in acts of charity; in this sense, Saint James can write that we are “justified by works, not by faith alone” (Jas 2:24). In the work of our justification, the priority belongs to the justice and mercy of God, who calls us to cooperate in his plan of salvation for all.
I greet the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today’s Audience, especially the groups from Denmark and the United States of America. In a particular way my greeting goes to the seminarians of the Pontifical North American College and their families gathered for the ordination to the Diaconate. Upon all of you, and your families, I invoke the joy and peace of the Lord. May God bless you!
CT
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