Pope Francis: Christ and the Church ‘fish’ for men and women

February 08, 2016

Reflecting on the day’s Gospel reading (Lk. 5:1-11), Pope Francis told the crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square for his February 7 Angelus address that the mission of Christ and the Church is “to seek out, ‘fish’ for men and women, to return the full dignity and freedom to all, through the forgiveness of sins.”

“This is the essence of Christianity: to spread the regenerating and gratuitous love of God, with the attitude of acceptance and mercy to everyone, because everyone can meet the tenderness of God and have fullness of life,” he continued.

The Pope added:

Today’s Gospel challenges us: Do we really trust the Word of the Lord? Or do we let ourselves be discouraged by our failures? In this Holy Year of Mercy, we are called to comfort those who feel they are sinners and unworthy and downhearted for their mistakes, telling them the same words of Jesus: “Fear not.” The mercy of the father is greater than your sins. Don’t fear. It’s greater.

Let’s pray that the Virgin Mary helps us to understand more and more that being a disciple means to put our feet on the footprints left by the Master: they are the footprints of divine grace that regenerates life for all.

 

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Further information:

• Angelus Domini 2016.02.07 (YouTube Vatican)
• Le parole del Papa alla recita dell’Angelus, 07.02.2016 (Holy See Press Office)
• ANGELUS ADDRESS: On Meeting God’s Tenderness (Zenit)