Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The commandment of love, that is “You shall love the Lord your God” and “You shall love your neighbour”, is at the core of our faith. Pope Francis reminds us of this with reference to the Gospel of the day during the Angelus prayer with the pilgrims and believers gathered in St. Peter's Square.
When the scribe asked which commandment was the most important, Jesus replied "that the source of everything is love, that we must never separate God from man. The Lord says to the disciple of every time: in your journey, what counts are not the exterior practices, such as burnt offerings and sacrifices, but the readiness of heart with which you open yourself to God and to brethren in love."
"We can do many things, but do them only for ourselves and without love, and this will not do; we do them with a distracted heart or even with a closed heart, and this will not do. All things must be done with love," continued the Bishop of Rome, reiterating that on the day of Judgement God will ask “How did you love?”. It is important, then, to fix in our hearts the most important commandment. What is it? Love the Lord your God, and love your neighbour as yourself”.
After the blessing, the Pope, in his usual call for peace, addressed a group from the Emergency organization, present in St. Peter's Square, and quoted Article 11 of the Italian Constitution, which says: “Italy rejects war as an instrument of aggression against the freedom of other peoples and as a means for the settlement of international disputes.” “May this principle be implemented all over the world: may war be banished and issues be addressed through law and negotiations. Let weapons be silenced and space be made for dialogue. Let us pray for tormented Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Myanmar, and South Sudan.”
Finally, a call to prayer for Valencia and the other communities in Spain “who are suffering so much in these days. What do I do for the people of Valencia? Do I pray? Do I offer something? Think about this question.” (F.B.) (Agenzia Fides, 3/11/2024)
