For Francis, “we often go to him only in times of need to ask for help. But God sees further and invites us to go further, to seek not only his gifts but [also] Him”. Above all, “the most important thing in life is to make life a gift”.
Vatican City (AsiaNews) – During the Angelus, Pope Francis spoke of life as a gift and called on the faithful to entrust their lives to Jesus, as Peter did.
On the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, patrons of Rome, the pontiff said that "The most important thing in life is to make life a gift", to give it, as Peter did. The latter "did not become a hero for being released from prison, but for giving his life here. His gift transformed a place of executions into the beautiful place of hope in which we find ourselves” today.
“Here is what we must ask God: [Give us] not only the grace of the moment, but [also] the grace of life. This applies to everyone: parents towards children and children towards their elderly parents. What comes to mind is the many elderly people left alone by their family like waste material. The loneliness of the elderly is a tragedy of our times.”
In today's Liturgy, Francis said, we read that Peter “was arrested, was in prison, and the Church, fearing for his life, prayed incessantly for him. Then an angel came down to release him from prison (cf Acts 12:1-11). Years later, when Peter was a prisoner in Rome, the Church certainly prayed, but on that occasion, his life was not spared. Why was he freed from trial a first time, but not later? Because there is a path in Peter’s life, which can illuminate the path of our life.
“The Lord granted him many graces and freed him from evil. He does the same with us as well. However, we often go to him only in times of need to ask for help. But God sees further and invites us to go further, to seek not only his gifts, but [also] Him who is the lord of all gifts, to entrust him not only with problems, but [also] with life. Thus, he can finally give us the greatest grace, that of giving life. Yes, the most important thing in life is to make life a gift. And this applies to everyone.”
"Today, before the Apostles, we can ask ourselves: ‘How do I prepare life? Do I think only of the needs of the moment or do I believe that Jesus is my real need, the one who makes me into a gift? And how do I build life? On my abilities or on the living God?’ May Our Lady, who entrusted herself entirely to God, help us place him at the base of each day.”