Pope Francis: amid history’s trials, the Father does not abandon us

November 14, 2016

Reflecting on the day’s Gospel reading (Lk. 21:5-19), Pope Francis told the crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square for his November 13 Angelus address that they should not seek security in “false messiahs,” but instead trust in the Father’s love.

In the Gospel, Jesus puts his hearers “on guard against all the false messiahs who present themselves,” the Pope said. “Today we still have these. And Jesus adds that there is no need to become terrified or disoriented by wars, revolutions and calamities, because these are also part of the reality of this world.”

Pope Francis continued, “The history of the Church is rich in examples of people who endured tribulations and terrible sufferings with serenity, because they were aware that they were safely in the hands of God. He is a faithful and attentive Father who never abandons his children.”

Noting that the extraordinary jubilee of mercy was coming to an end in dioceses throughout the world, the Pope said that “the Holy Year has called us, on one hand, to have our gaze set on the fulfillment of the Kingdom of God, and on the other hand, to build the future on this earth, working to evangelize the present, to bring about a time of salvation for all.”

“Let us pray to the Virgin, that she help us to deeply understand the truth that God never abandons his children,” the Pope said in conclusion.

 

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Further information:

• 2016.11.13 Angelus Domini (YouTube Vatican)
• Le parole del Papa alla recita dell’Angelus, 13.11.2016 (Holy See Press Office)
• Angelus Address: On Awaiting the End Times (Zenit)