Pope's Angelus reflection: Trust in the word of the
Lord
(Vatican Radio) Do not be
afraid but trust in the word of the Lord: that was Pope Francis message to the
crowds gathered in a windswept St Peter’s Square on Sunday for the recitation
of the Angelus prayer.
Listen to our report:
The Pope based his
reflections on the Gospel reading which tells the story of Jesus calling his
first disciples by Lake Galilee. After fishing all night without a catch, they
are washing their nets when Jesus gets into Simon Peter’s boat so that he can
preach to the crowds of people gathered on the shore.
Peter trusts in Jesus'
words
When he has finished
speaking, Jesus tells Peter to put out into the deep water and let down the
nets for a catch. Peter replies that they have been working hard all night
without catching anything, but he trusts in his Master’s words and lets down
the nets. His faith is rewarded, the Pope says, as they catch so much fish that
their nets begin to break.
You will be fishing for
people
Amazed by this extraordinary
event, Peter throws himself at Jesus feet saying, “Go away from me Lord, for I
am a sinner”. Peter, the Pope explained, is aware that Jesus is the Lord and
feels a strong sense of being unworthy. But Jesus tells him: “Do not be afraid,
from now on you will be fishing for people”. Jesus cannot leave him as a
sinner, the Pope said, any more than a doctor can abandon a sick person.
Share God's love through
hospitality and mercy
Peter and the other disciples
are reassured by Jesus’ words which are at the heart of his ministry and of the
mission of the Church. Pope Francis said going fishing for men and women does
not mean to proselitise but to restore dignity and freedom to them through the
forgiveness of sins. This is the essence of Christianity, he said, to share the
free and regenerative love of God through hospitality and mercy to all.
Mexico, Cuba and Chinese
New Year
After reciting the Angelus
prayer, the Pope looked ahead to his forthcoming visit to Mexico and to the
historic meeting he will have in Cuba with Patriarch Kirill, head of the
Russian Orthodox Church. The Pope also noted that on Monday the Church
celebrates a day of prayer against human trafficking and he wished a serene and
peaceful New Year to all those who’ll be marking the start of the Chinese new
year on Monday.
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