Vatican City (AsiaNews) - The atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki "have become the symbol of the enormous destructive power of man when he misuses his advances in science and technology, and are a permanent warning to humanity" to make a commitment to peace”, said Pope Francis after the Angelus today.
Before the Marian prayer, reflecting on the sixth chapter of John's Gospel, the Pope spoke of the meaning of the dynamics of faith: "As he had done earlier with the Samaritan woman, drawing from the experience of thirst and mark of water, here Jesus begins with the experience of hunger and the sign of bread, to reveal Himself and invite others to believe in Him”.
The Pope noted that people “look and listen to him, because they were enthusiastic about the miracle; they wanted to make him king. But when Jesus said that the true bread, given by God, is himself, many are shocked, they do not understand, and begin to murmur among themselves", did they not know his father and mother? How then can he say, "I came down from heaven? '" (Jn 6,42). They begin to murmur. Then Jesus says, "No one can come to me unless drawn by the Father who sent me," and adds: "He who believes has eternal life" (vv. 44.47). "
The Lord's words, he said, "amaze us, and make us think. No one can come to me unless drawn by the Father, and he who believes in me has eternal life. This question introduces the dynamic of faith, which is a relationship: the relationship between the human person and the person of Jesus, where the Father, and of course the Holy Spirit plays a decisive role- that is implied here. "
So "it is not enough to encounter Jesus to believe in him, to read the Bible, the Gospel; that is all important, but not enough. It is not even enough to witness a miracle ... So many people have had a close encounter with Jesus and have not believed, indeed, they even despised and condemned him".
Why does this happen? "Were they drawn by the Father? No. This happened because their hearts were closed to the action of the Spirit of God. And if you have a closed heart, faith does not enter. God the Father always draws us to Jesus, and it is we who close our hearts or open them. Instead faith, which is like a seed in one's heart, blossoms when allow ourselves to be "drawn" by the Father to Jesus, and "go to him" with an open mind, without prejudice; then we recognize in his face the face of God and in his words the Word of God, because the Holy Spirit has helped us enter into the relationship of love and of life between Jesus and God the Father. And here we receive the gift, the gift of faith”.
In Jesus, in his flesh - that is, in his concrete humanity - "This is all the love of God, which is the Holy Spirit. Those who let themselves be drawn by this love go to Jesus in faith, and receive from him life, eternal life. One who has lived this experience in an exemplary way is the Virgin of Nazareth, Mary: the first human person who believed in God by accepting the flesh of Jesus. Let us learn from her, our Mother, joy and gratitude for the gift of faith. A gift that is not "private", a gift that is not private property, but it is a gift to share: it is "for the life of the world"! ".
After the Angelus prayer, Francis launched an appeal remembering the events of Japan: "Seventy years ago, on August 6 and 9, 1945, the terrible bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki took place. Many years later, this tragic event still arouses horror and repulsion. It has become the symbol of the enormous destructive power of man when he misuses advances in science and technology, and is a permanent warning to humanity, to seperate itself forever from war and ban nuclear weapons and all weapons of mass destruction. This sad anniversary calls us above all to pray and work towards peace, to spread an ethic of brotherhood and a climate of peaceful coexistence among peoples worldwide. One voice should rise from every land: no to war, no to violence and yes to dialogue and peace! War is always a defeat, the only victory in war is no war! ".
Finally, a thought for El Salvador: "I am following with the news from El Salvador deep concern , where in recent times the hardships of the population have aggravated because of famine, the economic crisis, acute social conflicts and growing violence . I encourage the dear people of El Salvador to continue united in hope, and I urge everyone to pray that in the land of the blessed Oscar Romero justice and peace flourish once more".