CNA\/EWTN News<\/a>).- On Wednesday Pope Francis said that Jesus\u2019 salvific mission reaches its culmination on the Cross in his conversation with the two thieves crucified with him, showing that God\u2019s mercy goes beyond the desperation of human suffering, responding to it with mercy and forgiveness.<\/p>\nWhen the bad thief cries out to Jesus on the Cross, telling him \u201cAre you not the Christ? Save yourself and us,\u201d this act \u201cbears witness to the anguish of man in front of the mystery of death and the tragic awareness that only God can be the liberating answer,\u201d the Pope said Sept. 28.<\/p>\n
As he dies on the Cross alongside two criminals, Jesus confirms God\u2019s salvation \u201ccan reach any man in any condition, even the most negative and painful.\u201d<\/p>\n
Because of this, Francis said the ongoing Jubilee of Mercy is a time of grace and of mercy \u201cfor all, good and evil, those who are healthy and those who suffer. The good and the bad\u2026because the Church is mercy!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNothing can separate us from the love of Christ!\u201d he said, and directed his words to all who are \u201cnailed to a hospital bed, who live closed in a prison, to those who are trapped in war,\u201d telling them: \u201clook to the Crucifix; God is with you, he remains with you on the Cross and offers himself to all as the Savior.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pope Francis spoke to the thousands of pilgrims gathered in St. Peter\u2019s Square for his weekly general audience, giving special greetings to the American seminarians in Rome who will be ordained deacons Thursday and their families.<\/p>\n
He continued his ongoing catechesis on mercy, telling attendees that when Jesus forgives those nailing him to the Cross, saying \u201cLord forgive them, for they know not what they do,\u201d his words \u201cculminate in forgiveness\u2026Jesus forgives.\u201d<\/p>\n
When confronted with the opposite attitudes of the two thieves he is crucified with, Jesus hears the first one insult him, the Pope said, but explained that this offense was \u201cdriven by desperation\u201d caused by suffering.<\/p>\n
Jesus\u2019 forgiveness, he said, bears witness to the fact that \u201che who has done terrible things in life has the ability to be forgiven.\u201d<\/p>\n
The second criminal, known as the \u201cGood Thief,\u201d provides a model of true repentance and \u201ca catechesis focused on learning to ask Jesus for forgiveness,\u201d Francis said.<\/p>\n
In telling the second criminal \u201chave you no fear of God?\u201d the good thief reveals \u201cthe starting point of repentance: fear of the Lord.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pope Francis stressed that Fear of the Lord is \u201cnot being afraid of God, but that respect that one must give to God because he is God.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThe good thief calls attention to the fundamental attitude which opens to trust in God: the awareness of his omnipotence and of his infinite goodness,\u201d he said, noting that \u201cthis is the trusting respect which helps to make space for God and to entrust oneself to his mercy, even in the thickest darkness.\u201d<\/p>\n
Francis pointed to the \u201ctenderness\u201d and \u201chumanity\u201d of the good thief in asking Jesus to remember him, explaining that it\u2019s necessary for the human being to know they are not abandoned, and that God is always close.<\/p>\n
Jesus\u2019 response that \u201ctoday you will be with me in paradise,\u201d shows that even a man condemned to death \u201cbecomes a model of Christianity who entrusts himself to Jesus.\u201d<\/p>\n
It is while Jesus hangs on the Cross that his salvation culminates, the Pope said, noting that his promise to the good thief \u201creveals the fulfillment of his mission: to save sinners.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOn the cross, the final act confirms the final realization of his saving plan. From the beginning to the end he proved himself to be mercy, the definitive and unrepeatable love of the Father,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cJesus is truly the face of the mercy of the Father,\u201d Francis said, and, closing his address, noted how the good thief called Jesus by name, and led pilgrims in repeating the name of Jesus three times as a short prayer.<\/p>\n
After his address, Francis turned his thoughts to the ongoing conflict in \u201cthe beloved and martyred Syria.\u201d<\/p>\n
Upon hearing of continued airstrikes in Aleppo, he voiced his \u201cdeep sorrow and lively concern\u201d over the fact that innocent children, elderly, sick and youth continue to lose their lives in the bombings.<\/p>\n
He assured his spiritual closeness to those suffering, and renewed his appeal for everyone to commit themselves to protecting civilians, \u201cwhich is a committed and urgent obligation.\u201d<\/p>\n
Francis also issued an appeal \u201cto the consciences\u201d of those responsible for the bombings, saying \u201cthey must answer before God\u201d for their actions.<\/p>\n
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Vatican City, Sep 28, 2016 \/ 04:34 am (CNA\/EWTN News).- On Wednesday Pope Francis said that Jesus’ salvific mission reaches its culmination on the Cross in his conversation with the two thieves crucified with him, showing that God’s mercy g…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1031,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-16182","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-vatican"],"yoast_head":"\n
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