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POPE FRANCIS ANGELUS: February 7, 2016 (FULL TEXT: ENGLISH)

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Dear brothers and sisters, Goodmorning!

The Gospel of this Sunday says - in the drafting of St. Luke - the call of the first disciples of Jesus ( Lk 5,1-11). The fact takes place in a context of everyday life: there are some fishermen on the shore of Lake Galilee, who, after work last night without catching anything, are washing and fixing nets. Jesus went up into the boat of one of them, that of Simon, called Peter, and asks him to break away a little from the shore and began to preach the Word of God to the people that had gathered numerous. When he finished talking, he tells him to take off and let down the nets. Simone had already known Jesus and experienced the miraculous power of his word, so replied: "Master, we toiled all night and caught nothing; But at your word I will let down the nets "(v. 5). And this faith is not disappointed: in fact, the nets filled with such a quantity of fish that were tearing (cf. v. 6).

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Highlights

By Pope Francis
Catholic Online (https://www.catholic.org)
2/8/2016 (8 years ago)

Published in Living Faith

Keywords: Pope Francis, Angelus, Mass, Baptism, Lord, Jesus

In the face of this extraordinary event, the fishermen are overcome with amazement. Simon Peter fell at Jesus' feet, saying: "Lord, depart from me, for I am a sinful man" (v. 8). Miraculous sign that convinced him that Jesus is not only a terrific teacher, whose word is true and powerful, but that He is the Lord, is the manifestation of God. And this presence close arouses in Peter's a strong sense of their own pettiness and unworthiness. From a human point of view, do you think there should be distance between the sinner and the saint. In truth, his own sinful condition requires that the Lord will not turn away from him, the same way a doctor can not get away from people who are sick.

Jesus' response to Simon Peter's reassuring and firm: "Do not fear; from now on you will be catching men "(v. 10). And again the fisherman from Galilee, placing his trust in this word, leave everything and follow Him who has become his Master and Lord. And so they did James and John, the work of Simone members. This is the logic that drives the mission of Jesus and the Church's mission: to seek out, "catch" men and women, not to proselytize, but to give back to all the full dignity and freedom, through the forgiveness of sins. This is the essence of Christianity: to spread the regenerating and gratuitous love of God, with attitude of acceptance and mercy to everyone, because everyone can meet the tenderness of God and have the fullness of life. And here, in a particular way, I think of the confessors: they are the first who must make the mercy of God by following the example of Jesus, as did the two holy brothers, father Leopold and Padre Pio.

Today's Gospel challenges us: we really trust the word of the Lord? Or we let ourselves be discouraged by our failures? In this Holy Year of Mercy we are called to comfort those who feel unworthy sinners before the Lord and slaughtered for their mistakes, telling them the words of Jesus: "Fear not." "And 'the greater the mercy of the Father for your sins! E 'largest, do not be afraid! ". May the Virgin Mary 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.

APPEAL

I follow with deep concern the dramatic fate of civilian populations involved in heavy fighting in the beloved Syria and forced to leave everything behind to escape the horrors of war. I hope that, with generous solidarity, you borrow the necessary help to ensure their survival and dignity, and I appeal to the international community to not save any effort to bring urgently to the negotiating table parties. Only a political solution of the conflict will be able to guarantee a future of reconciliation and peace in that beloved and martyred country, for which I invite you to pray a lot; and now all together we pray to Our Lady for the beloved Syria: Hail Mary, ...

After the Angelus:

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Today, in Italy, we celebrate the Day for Life, on "Mercy makes life bloom." I join the Italian Bishops to wish on the part of various institutions, educational and social renewed commitment in favor of human life from conception to its natural end. Our society must be helped to heal from all the attacks on life, daring an inner change, which is shown by the works of mercy. I greet and encourage university teachers in Rome and those who are committed to witness the culture of life.
Tomorrow we celebrate the Day of prayer and reflection against trafficking in persons, which gives everyone the opportunity to help the new slaves today to break the heavy chains of exploitation to regain their freedom and dignity. I think in particular to so many women and men, and many children! We must make every effort to stamp out this crime, and this unbearable shame.
And tomorrow, the Far East and in various parts of the world, millions of men and women celebrate the Lunar New Year. I wish everyone to experience serenity and peace within their families, which are the first place where you live and transmit the values of love and brotherhood, coexistence and sharing, attention and care of others. May the New Year bring fruits of compassion, mercy and solidarity. And these brothers and sisters of the Far East, who tomorrow celebrate the Lunar New Year, salutiamoli with applause from here!

I greet all the pilgrims, parish groups and associations from Italy, Spain, Portugal, Ecuador, Slovakia and other countries. Too many to list them all! I cite only the candidates, those of the Diocese of Treviso, Padua, Cuneo, Lodi, Como and Crotone. They're all here, I see them! And I salute the priestly community of the Mexican College of Rome, with other Mexicans: thank you for your commitment to accompany with prayer the apostolic trip to Mexico that I will do in a few days, and also the meeting that I will have to Havana with my dear brother Kirill.
I wish you all a good Sunday. Please do not forget to pray for me. Good lunch and goodbye!

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