Pope Francis reflects on God’s mercy and the Chosen People

January 27, 2016

Resuming his weekly catecheses on mercy, Pope Francis spoke about mercy and the Old Covenant during his January 27 general audience.

The Pontiff devoted his January 20 audience to the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

“We now consider God’s mercy at work in the history of the Chosen People,” the Pope told the crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square, according to the official English-language synthesis of his remarks. “The Scriptures show the Lord’s merciful concern for Israel throughout its history, beginning with the call of Abraham.”

“God’s mercy is expressed particularly, however, in the experience of the exodus from Egypt,” he continued. “God heard the cry of his people, as he hears the cry of the poor and oppressed in every age.”

The Pope added:

He raised up Moses to be the mediator of his mercy and salvation. Through Moses, he led Israel to freedom and, through the covenant, he made them his own possession, “a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Ex. 19:5-6), a people precious in his eyes. The mystery of God’s mercy culminates in the sending of his Son, the Lord Jesus, in that “new and eternal covenant” inaugurated in his blood, whereby we are granted the forgiveness of our sins and become truly God’s children, beloved sons and daughters of our good and merciful Father.

 

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Further information:

• Pope Francis General Audience 2016.01.27 (YouTube Vatican)
• L’Udienza Generale, 27.01.2016 (Holy See Press Office)