Pope reflects on God’s mercy as revealed to Moses

January 13, 2016

During his January 13 general audience, Pope Francis told those gathered in Paul VI Audience Hall that he will reflect on divine mercy during his Wednesday addresses throughout the jubilee year.

After delivering 33 addresses on the family between December 2014 and November 2015, Pope Francis spoke about the jubilee year on December 9 and 16.

“In the Book of Exodus, God defines himself as the God of mercy,” the Pope said on January 13, according to the official English-language synthesis of his remarks. “In words which echo throughout the Old Testament, he tells Moses that he is ‘the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness’ (Ex. 34:6).”

“The Hebrew word for mercy evokes the tender and visceral love of a mother for her child,” he continued. “The God of mercy is also gracious, ever ready to understand and forgive. He is slow to anger, prepared to wait patiently, like a wise farmer, for the seeds of repentance to grow in our hearts.”

The Pope added:

Likewise, he abounds in steadfast love and faithfulness. God’s love, freely given, precedes any merit on our part; his faithfulness, like that of the father in the parable of the prodigal son, has no limits. He waits for us, ever ready to forgive our sins and to welcome us back to a right relationship with him. In this Year of Mercy, may we turn to God with all our heart, trusting in his mercy and grace, his infinite faithfulness and love.

 

---

For all current news, visit our News home page.

---

 
Further information:

• Pope Francis General Audience 2016.01.13 (Vatican YouTube)
• L’Udienza Generale, 13.01.2016 (Holy See Press Office)