Pope Francis: works of mercy are ‘hallmarks of the Christian life’

April 04, 2016

Celebrating the Mass of the Second Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy Sunday) in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis said that “we are all called to become living writers of the Gospel, heralds of the Good News to all men and women of today.”

“We do this by practicing the corporal and spiritual works of mercy, which are the hallmarks of the Christian life,” he preached. “By means of these simple yet powerful gestures, even when unseen, we can accompany the needy, bringing God’s tenderness and consolation.”

Christ “wishes to throw open our closed doors and send us out,” he continued. “The path that the Risen Master shows us is a one-way street, it goes in only one direction: this means that we must move beyond ourselves to witness to the healing power of love that has conquered us.”

Calling upon Christians to be “apostles of mercy” in everyday life, the Pope added:

Let us give thanks for so great a love, which we find impossible to grasp; it is immense! Let us pray for the grace to never grow tired of drawing from the well of the Father’s mercy and bringing it to the world.

 

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Further information:

• Holy Mass on the liturgical feast of Divine Mercy - 2016.04.03 (YouTube Vatican)
• Santa Messa in occasione del Giubileo delle persone che aderiscono alla spiritualità della Divina Misericordia, 03.04.2016 (Holy See Press Office)
• Booklet for the Celebration of Holy Mass (Office for the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff)