Year of Mercy is essence of the new evangelization, Pope says
May 29, 2015
The purpose of the Jubilee Year of Mercy is to underline “that the gift of mercy is the announcement that the Church is called to transmit in her work of evangelization,” Pope Francis said in a May 29 address to the plenary session of the Pontifical Council for the New Evangelization. “New evangelization means becoming aware of the Father's merciful love so that we too may become instruments of salvation for our brothers,” the Pope said. In helping people to become aware of God’s mercy, he said, it is crucial to recognize that this is “not an abstract idea of mercy, but rather a concrete experience by which we understand our weakness and the strength that comes from above.” He added: “The help we invoke is already the first step of God's mercy towards us.”
The Holy Father concentrated on the theme of mercy because he has given the Pontifical Council for the New Evangelization the primary responsibility for planning events for the Jubilee year.
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Posted by: unum -
May. 30, 2015 10:27 AM ET USA
The Holy Father's remarks have just introduced a significant new concept to the Catholic clergy and religious of today's Church. It is the teaching that all of the members of the Body of Christ, even the dumb 'ole laity who are not employed by the clergy, are "instruments of salvation for our brothers” in a suffering world. May Pope Francis persevere until the mission of the laity is revised from today's "Pray, Pay, and Obey" to a mission that truly reflects the teachings of Christ.
