{"id":16076,"date":"2016-09-21T14:34:00","date_gmt":"2016-09-21T14:34:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.catholicnewsagency.com\/news\/being-merciful-like-the-father-isnt-a-slogan-its-a-way-of-life-pope-says-97122\/"},"modified":"2016-09-21T14:34:00","modified_gmt":"2016-09-21T14:34:00","slug":"being-merciful-like-the-father-isnt-a-slogan-its-a-way-of-life-pope-says","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/catholicnews\/2016\/09\/being-merciful-like-the-father-isnt-a-slogan-its-a-way-of-life-pope-says\/","title":{"rendered":"Being ‘merciful like the Father’ isn’t a slogan – it’s a way of life, Pope says"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

<\/p>\n

Vatican City, Sep 21, 2016 \/ 08:34 am (CNA\/EWTN News<\/a>).- On Wednesday Pope Francis reflected on the theme of Jubilee of Mercy \u201cMerciful like the Father,\u201d telling pilgrims that while imitating God\u2019s love can seem impossible, it\u2019s genuine effort, rather than quantity, that matters.<\/p>\n

To be \u201cmerciful like the Father\u201d is not just \u201ca slogan for effect, but a life commitment,\u201d the Pope said Sept. 21.<\/p>\n

However, he also questioned whether Jesus\u2019 words to his disciples in the Gospel of Luke are actually realistic, asking \u201cis it really possible to love like God loves and to be merciful like him?\u201d<\/p>\n

When looking back at the story of salvation history, Francis noted that God\u2019s entire revelation to man consists of his tireless love for humanity which culminates with Jesus\u2019 death on the Cross.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo great a love can be expressed only by God,\u201d he said, explaining that Jesus\u2019 call for humanity to be merciful like the Father \u201cis not a question of quantity. Instead it is a summons to be signs, channels and witnesses to his mercy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd the Church can\u2019t but be the sacrament of God\u2019s mercy in the world, in every time and across all humanity,\u201d he said, adding that \u201cevery Christian is called to be a witness of mercy, and this takes place on the path to holiness.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pope Francis spoke to the thousands of pilgrims present in St. Peter\u2019s Square for his weekly general audience. He has dedicated his catechesis to the topic of mercy in honor of the ongoing Holy Year of Mercy, which takes it\u2019s theme from the day\u2019s Gospel reading from Luke.<\/p>\n

In his address, the Pope said that while \u201cof course God is perfect,\u201d if he is seen only in this way it becomes impossible for humanity to strive toward that model of \u201cabsolute perfection.\u201d<\/p>\n

Instead, having God \u201cbefore our eyes as merciful allows us to better understand what his perfection consists of and spurs us to be like him; full of love, compassion and mercy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Francis then asked what it means for the disciples to be merciful. The answer, he said, was given by Jesus in two verbs: \u201cto forgive\u201d and \u201cto give.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mercy is expressed \u201cabove all in forgiveness,\u201d he said, adding that \u201cforgiveness in fact is the pillar that holds up the life of the Christian community, because in this is shown the gratuitousness of the love with which God has first loved us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll Christians must forgive! Why? Because they have been forgiven. All of us, each one of us here in the Square, have been forgiven,\u201d the Pope said, explaining that \u201cif God has forgiven me, why shouldn't I forgive others? Am I greater than God?\u201d<\/p>\n

When it comes to giving, Francis noted that God always \u201cgives well beyond our merits,\u201d but will be even more generous with those were generous on earth.<\/p>\n

Jesus, he said, \u201cdoesn\u2019t say what will happen to those who did not give,\u201d but sends a warning when he uses the image of \u201cthe measure: with the measure of love that we give, it is we ourselves who decide how we will be judged, how we will be loved.\u201d<\/p>\n

Because of this, \u201cmerciful love is the only path to take,\u201d Francis said, stressing the need for everyone to be a little more merciful and a little less hasty to speak poorly of others, to be judgmental and to \u201cpluck\u201d at others with criticism, envy and jealousy. \u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWe must forgive, be merciful and live our lives in love,\u201d he said, explaining that by doing so, the heart enlarges with love rather than selfishness and anger, which makes the heart small and hardens it \u201clike stone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you prefer? A heart of stone or a heart of love? If you prefer a heart full of love, be merciful.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n

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<\/p>\n

Vatican City, Sep 21, 2016 \/ 08:34 am (CNA\/EWTN News<\/a>).- On Wednesday Pope Francis reflected on the theme of Jubilee of Mercy “Merciful like the Father,” telling pilgrims that while imitating God’s love can seem impossible, it’s genuine effort, rather than quantity, that matters.<\/p>\n

To be “merciful like the Father” is not just “a slogan for effect, but a life commitment,” the Pope said Sept. 21.<\/p>\n

However, he also questioned whether Jesus’ words to his disciples in the Gospel of Luke are actually realistic, asking “is it really possible to love like God loves and to be merciful like him?”<\/p>\n

When looking back at the story of salvation history, Francis noted that God’s entire revelation to man consists of his tireless love for humanity which culminates with Jesus’ death on the Cross.<\/p>\n

“So great a love can be expressed only by God,” he said, explaining that Jesus’ call for humanity to be merciful like the Father “is not a question of quantity. Instead it is a summons to be signs, channels and witnesses to his mercy.”<\/p>\n

“And the Church can’t but be the sacrament of God’s mercy in the world, in every time and across all humanity,” he said, adding that “every Christian is called to be a witness of mercy, and this takes place on the path to holiness.”<\/p>\n

Pope Francis spoke to the thousands of pilgrims present in St. Peter’s Square for his weekly general audience. He has dedicated his catechesis to the topic of mercy in honor of the ongoing Holy Year of Mercy, which takes it’s theme from the day’s Gospel reading from Luke.<\/p>\n

In his address, the Pope said that while “of course God is perfect,” if he is seen only in this way it becomes impossible for humanity to strive toward that model of “absolute perfection.”<\/p>\n

Instead, having God “before our eyes as merciful allows us to better understand what his perfection consists of and spurs us to be like him; full of love, compassion and mercy.”<\/p>\n

Francis then asked what it means for the disciples to be merciful. The answer, he said, was given by Jesus in two verbs: “to forgive” and “to give.”<\/p>\n

Mercy is expressed “above all in forgiveness,” he said, adding that “forgiveness in fact is the pillar that holds up the life of the Christian community, because in this is shown the gratuitousness of the love with which God has first loved us.”<\/p>\n

“All Christians must forgive! Why? Because they have been forgiven. All of us, each one of us here in the Square, have been forgiven,” the Pope said, explaining that “if God has forgiven me, why shouldn’t I forgive others? Am I greater than God?”<\/p>\n

When it comes to giving, Francis noted that God always “gives well beyond our merits,” but will be even more generous with those were generous on earth.<\/p>\n

Jesus, he said, “doesn’t say what will happen to those who did not give,” but sends a warning when he uses the image of “the measure: with the measure of love that we give, it is we ourselves who decide how we will be judged, how we will be loved.”<\/p>\n

Because of this, “merciful love is the only path to take,” Francis said, stressing the need for everyone to be a little more merciful and a little less hasty to speak poorly of others, to be judgmental and to “pluck” at others with criticism, envy and jealousy.  <\/p>\n

“We must forgive, be merciful and live our lives in love,” he said, explaining that by doing so, the heart enlarges with love rather than selfishness and anger, which makes the heart small and hardens it “like stone.”<\/p>\n

“What do you prefer? A heart of stone or a heart of love? If you prefer a heart full of love, be merciful.”<\/p>\n

\n<\/a>\n<\/div>\n

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However, he also questioned whether Jesus’ words to his disciples in the Gospel of Luke are actually realistic, asking “is it really possible to love like God loves and to be merciful like him?” When looking back at the story of salvation history, Francis noted that God’s entire revelation to man consists of his tireless love for humanity which culminates with Jesus’ death on the Cross. “So great a love can be expressed only by God,” he said, explaining that Jesus’ call for humanity to be merciful like the Father “is not a question of quantity. Instead it is a summons to be signs, channels and witnesses to his mercy.” “And the Church can’t but be the sacrament of God’s mercy in the world, in every time and across all humanity,” he said, adding that “every Christian is called to be a witness of mercy, and this takes place on the path to holiness.” Pope Francis spoke to the thousands of pilgrims present in St. Peter’s Square for his weekly general audience. He has dedicated his catechesis to the topic of mercy in honor of the ongoing Holy Year of Mercy, which takes it’s theme from the day’s Gospel reading from Luke. In his address, the Pope said that while “of course God is perfect,” if he is seen only in this way it becomes impossible for humanity to strive toward that model of “absolute perfection.” Instead, having God “before our eyes as merciful allows us to better understand what his perfection consists of and spurs us to be like him; full of love, compassion and mercy.” Francis then asked what it means for the disciples to be merciful. The answer, he said, was given by Jesus in two verbs: “to forgive” and “to give.” Mercy is expressed “above all in forgiveness,” he said, adding that “forgiveness in fact is the pillar that holds up the life of the Christian community, because in this is shown the gratuitousness of the love with which God has first loved us.” “All Christians must forgive! Why? Because they have been forgiven. All of us, each one of us here in the Square, have been forgiven,” the Pope said, explaining that “if God has forgiven me, why shouldn't I forgive others? Am I greater than God?” When it comes to giving, Francis noted that God always “gives well beyond our merits,” but will be even more generous with those were generous on earth. Jesus, he said, “doesn’t say what will happen to those who did not give,” but sends a warning when he uses the image of “the measure: with the measure of love that we give, it is we ourselves who decide how we will be judged, how we will be loved.” Because of this, “merciful love is the only path to take,” Francis said, stressing the need for everyone to be a little more merciful and a little less hasty to speak poorly of others, to be judgmental and to “pluck” at others with criticism, envy and jealousy.   “We must forgive, be merciful and live our lives in love,” he said, explaining that by doing so, the heart enlarges with love rather than selfishness and anger, which makes the heart small and hardens it “like stone.” “What do you prefer? A heart of stone or a heart of love? 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To be “merciful like the Father” is not just “a slogan for effect, but a life commitment,” the Pope said Sept. 21. However, he also questioned whether Jesus’ words to his disciples in the Gospel of Luke are actually realistic, asking “is it really possible to love like God loves and to be merciful like him?” When looking back at the story of salvation history, Francis noted that God’s entire revelation to man consists of his tireless love for humanity which culminates with Jesus’ death on the Cross. “So great a love can be expressed only by God,” he said, explaining that Jesus’ call for humanity to be merciful like the Father “is not a question of quantity. Instead it is a summons to be signs, channels and witnesses to his mercy.” “And the Church can’t but be the sacrament of God’s mercy in the world, in every time and across all humanity,” he said, adding that “every Christian is called to be a witness of mercy, and this takes place on the path to holiness.” Pope Francis spoke to the thousands of pilgrims present in St. Peter’s Square for his weekly general audience. He has dedicated his catechesis to the topic of mercy in honor of the ongoing Holy Year of Mercy, which takes it’s theme from the day’s Gospel reading from Luke. In his address, the Pope said that while “of course God is perfect,” if he is seen only in this way it becomes impossible for humanity to strive toward that model of “absolute perfection.” Instead, having God “before our eyes as merciful allows us to better understand what his perfection consists of and spurs us to be like him; full of love, compassion and mercy.” Francis then asked what it means for the disciples to be merciful. The answer, he said, was given by Jesus in two verbs: “to forgive” and “to give.” Mercy is expressed “above all in forgiveness,” he said, adding that “forgiveness in fact is the pillar that holds up the life of the Christian community, because in this is shown the gratuitousness of the love with which God has first loved us.” “All Christians must forgive! Why? Because they have been forgiven. All of us, each one of us here in the Square, have been forgiven,” the Pope said, explaining that “if God has forgiven me, why shouldn't I forgive others? Am I greater than God?” When it comes to giving, Francis noted that God always “gives well beyond our merits,” but will be even more generous with those were generous on earth. Jesus, he said, “doesn’t say what will happen to those who did not give,” but sends a warning when he uses the image of “the measure: with the measure of love that we give, it is we ourselves who decide how we will be judged, how we will be loved.” Because of this, “merciful love is the only path to take,” Francis said, stressing the need for everyone to be a little more merciful and a little less hasty to speak poorly of others, to be judgmental and to “pluck” at others with criticism, envy and jealousy.   “We must forgive, be merciful and live our lives in love,” he said, explaining that by doing so, the heart enlarges with love rather than selfishness and anger, which makes the heart small and hardens it “like stone.” “What do you prefer? A heart of stone or a heart of love? 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To be “merciful like the Father” is not just “a slogan for effect, but a life commitment,” the Pope said Sept. 21. However, he also questioned whether Jesus’ words to his disciples in the Gospel of Luke are actually realistic, asking “is it really possible to love like God loves and to be merciful like him?” When looking back at the story of salvation history, Francis noted that God’s entire revelation to man consists of his tireless love for humanity which culminates with Jesus’ death on the Cross. “So great a love can be expressed only by God,” he said, explaining that Jesus’ call for humanity to be merciful like the Father “is not a question of quantity. Instead it is a summons to be signs, channels and witnesses to his mercy.” “And the Church can’t but be the sacrament of God’s mercy in the world, in every time and across all humanity,” he said, adding that “every Christian is called to be a witness of mercy, and this takes place on the path to holiness.” Pope Francis spoke to the thousands of pilgrims present in St. Peter’s Square for his weekly general audience. He has dedicated his catechesis to the topic of mercy in honor of the ongoing Holy Year of Mercy, which takes it’s theme from the day’s Gospel reading from Luke. In his address, the Pope said that while “of course God is perfect,” if he is seen only in this way it becomes impossible for humanity to strive toward that model of “absolute perfection.” Instead, having God “before our eyes as merciful allows us to better understand what his perfection consists of and spurs us to be like him; full of love, compassion and mercy.” Francis then asked what it means for the disciples to be merciful. The answer, he said, was given by Jesus in two verbs: “to forgive” and “to give.” Mercy is expressed “above all in forgiveness,” he said, adding that “forgiveness in fact is the pillar that holds up the life of the Christian community, because in this is shown the gratuitousness of the love with which God has first loved us.” “All Christians must forgive! Why? Because they have been forgiven. All of us, each one of us here in the Square, have been forgiven,” the Pope said, explaining that “if God has forgiven me, why shouldn't I forgive others? 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If you prefer a heart full of love, be merciful.”","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/catholicnews\/2016\/09\/being-merciful-like-the-father-isnt-a-slogan-its-a-way-of-life-pope-says\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Being 'merciful like the Father' isn't a slogan – it's a way of life, Pope says","og_description":"Vatican City, Sep 21, 2016 \/ 08:34 am (CNA\/EWTN News).- On Wednesday Pope Francis reflected on the theme of Jubilee of Mercy “Merciful like the Father,” telling pilgrims that while imitating God’s love can seem impossible, it’s genuine effort, rather than quantity, that matters. To be “merciful like the Father” is not just “a slogan for effect, but a life commitment,” the Pope said Sept. 21. However, he also questioned whether Jesus’ words to his disciples in the Gospel of Luke are actually realistic, asking “is it really possible to love like God loves and to be merciful like him?” When looking back at the story of salvation history, Francis noted that God’s entire revelation to man consists of his tireless love for humanity which culminates with Jesus’ death on the Cross. “So great a love can be expressed only by God,” he said, explaining that Jesus’ call for humanity to be merciful like the Father “is not a question of quantity. Instead it is a summons to be signs, channels and witnesses to his mercy.” “And the Church can’t but be the sacrament of God’s mercy in the world, in every time and across all humanity,” he said, adding that “every Christian is called to be a witness of mercy, and this takes place on the path to holiness.” Pope Francis spoke to the thousands of pilgrims present in St. Peter’s Square for his weekly general audience. He has dedicated his catechesis to the topic of mercy in honor of the ongoing Holy Year of Mercy, which takes it’s theme from the day’s Gospel reading from Luke. In his address, the Pope said that while “of course God is perfect,” if he is seen only in this way it becomes impossible for humanity to strive toward that model of “absolute perfection.” Instead, having God “before our eyes as merciful allows us to better understand what his perfection consists of and spurs us to be like him; full of love, compassion and mercy.” Francis then asked what it means for the disciples to be merciful. The answer, he said, was given by Jesus in two verbs: “to forgive” and “to give.” Mercy is expressed “above all in forgiveness,” he said, adding that “forgiveness in fact is the pillar that holds up the life of the Christian community, because in this is shown the gratuitousness of the love with which God has first loved us.” “All Christians must forgive! Why? Because they have been forgiven. All of us, each one of us here in the Square, have been forgiven,” the Pope said, explaining that “if God has forgiven me, why shouldn't I forgive others? Am I greater than God?” When it comes to giving, Francis noted that God always “gives well beyond our merits,” but will be even more generous with those were generous on earth. Jesus, he said, “doesn’t say what will happen to those who did not give,” but sends a warning when he uses the image of “the measure: with the measure of love that we give, it is we ourselves who decide how we will be judged, how we will be loved.” Because of this, “merciful love is the only path to take,” Francis said, stressing the need for everyone to be a little more merciful and a little less hasty to speak poorly of others, to be judgmental and to “pluck” at others with criticism, envy and jealousy.   “We must forgive, be merciful and live our lives in love,” he said, explaining that by doing so, the heart enlarges with love rather than selfishness and anger, which makes the heart small and hardens it “like stone.” “What do you prefer? A heart of stone or a heart of love? If you prefer a heart full of love, be merciful.”","og_url":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/catholicnews\/2016\/09\/being-merciful-like-the-father-isnt-a-slogan-its-a-way-of-life-pope-says\/","og_site_name":"Catholic News","article_published_time":"2016-09-21T14:34:00+00:00","og_image":[{"url":"http:\/\/www.catholicnewsagency.com\/images\/size340\/Pope_Francis_arrives_in_St_Peters_Square_for_the_general_audience_Sept_21_2016_Credit_Daniel_Ibez_CNA.jpg"}],"author":"CNA Daily News","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"CNA Daily News","Est. reading time":"4 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/catholicnews\/2016\/09\/being-merciful-like-the-father-isnt-a-slogan-its-a-way-of-life-pope-says\/","url":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/catholicnews\/2016\/09\/being-merciful-like-the-father-isnt-a-slogan-its-a-way-of-life-pope-says\/","name":"Being 'merciful like the Father' isn't a slogan – it's a way of life, Pope says","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/catholicnews\/#website"},"datePublished":"2016-09-21T14:34:00+00:00","dateModified":"2016-09-21T14:34:00+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/catholicnews\/#\/schema\/person\/35d4bd7addc580050842c844a11575f1"},"description":"Vatican City, Sep 21, 2016 \/ 08:34 am (CNA\/EWTN News).- On Wednesday Pope Francis reflected on the theme of Jubilee of Mercy “Merciful like the Father,” telling pilgrims that while imitating God’s love can seem impossible, it’s genuine effort, rather than quantity, that matters. To be “merciful like the Father” is not just “a slogan for effect, but a life commitment,” the Pope said Sept. 21. However, he also questioned whether Jesus’ words to his disciples in the Gospel of Luke are actually realistic, asking “is it really possible to love like God loves and to be merciful like him?” When looking back at the story of salvation history, Francis noted that God’s entire revelation to man consists of his tireless love for humanity which culminates with Jesus’ death on the Cross. “So great a love can be expressed only by God,” he said, explaining that Jesus’ call for humanity to be merciful like the Father “is not a question of quantity. Instead it is a summons to be signs, channels and witnesses to his mercy.” “And the Church can’t but be the sacrament of God’s mercy in the world, in every time and across all humanity,” he said, adding that “every Christian is called to be a witness of mercy, and this takes place on the path to holiness.” Pope Francis spoke to the thousands of pilgrims present in St. Peter’s Square for his weekly general audience. He has dedicated his catechesis to the topic of mercy in honor of the ongoing Holy Year of Mercy, which takes it’s theme from the day’s Gospel reading from Luke. In his address, the Pope said that while “of course God is perfect,” if he is seen only in this way it becomes impossible for humanity to strive toward that model of “absolute perfection.” Instead, having God “before our eyes as merciful allows us to better understand what his perfection consists of and spurs us to be like him; full of love, compassion and mercy.” Francis then asked what it means for the disciples to be merciful. The answer, he said, was given by Jesus in two verbs: “to forgive” and “to give.” Mercy is expressed “above all in forgiveness,” he said, adding that “forgiveness in fact is the pillar that holds up the life of the Christian community, because in this is shown the gratuitousness of the love with which God has first loved us.” “All Christians must forgive! Why? Because they have been forgiven. All of us, each one of us here in the Square, have been forgiven,” the Pope said, explaining that “if God has forgiven me, why shouldn't I forgive others? Am I greater than God?” When it comes to giving, Francis noted that God always “gives well beyond our merits,” but will be even more generous with those were generous on earth. Jesus, he said, “doesn’t say what will happen to those who did not give,” but sends a warning when he uses the image of “the measure: with the measure of love that we give, it is we ourselves who decide how we will be judged, how we will be loved.” Because of this, “merciful love is the only path to take,” Francis said, stressing the need for everyone to be a little more merciful and a little less hasty to speak poorly of others, to be judgmental and to “pluck” at others with criticism, envy and jealousy.   “We must forgive, be merciful and live our lives in love,” he said, explaining that by doing so, the heart enlarges with love rather than selfishness and anger, which makes the heart small and hardens it “like stone.” “What do you prefer? A heart of stone or a heart of love? 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