VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis always strives extraordinarily for others like Jesus who willingly died on the cross for us sinners. The Pope pointed out that the Lord also calls us to get out of the logic of profit and open ourselves to the exceptionality of God’s love that overflows beyond calculation.
Pope Francis’ exhortation came as he addressed thousands of faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday ahead of the three-day prayer. The Pope chose verses 38 to 48 of Matthew’s Gospel, which was read during the Eucharist, for the message. The Pope shared the teachings of Jesus, such as showing forgiveness to one who offends, loving the enemy and praying for them.
It may seem ironic to us in the gospel that Jesus tells us to show mercy to a slanderer and to love our enemy.
It is normal to love those who love us back, but Jesus provokes us: If you act this way, what are you doing abnormally?
‘Extraordinary’ is something that goes beyond the normal, that goes beyond our usual methods and calculations. We try to control everything so that everything conforms to our expectations. But the Lord warns that ‘this is not enough’.
If the balance between our give and take continues as usual, things will not change. If God had followed this logic, we would have no hope of salvation. But, thankfully, God’s love is always ‘extraordinary’. The Pope pointed out that it goes beyond the normal levels of human relations.
He asks us to open ourselves to extraordinary love as we try to stick to the logics that benefit us. While we always try to be balanced, Christ encourages us to live in an imbalance of love.
If God was in the balance, we would never have been saved. Jesus would not have come looking for us when we were lost and far away. He would not have loved us to the end.
He bore the cross for us who are unable to give anything in return for the gifts we receive without measure. The fact that Christ died for us while we were still sinners demonstrates God’s love for us.
God’s love is always overflowing to us. It is incalculable and disproportionate. He asks us to live in this way, because only in this way can we bear witness to God.
He also instructs us not to measure love by the yardstick of calculations and conveniences from the logic of selfish interest. Because it is this love that slowly transforms conflicts, shortens distances, overcomes enmity and heals the wounds of hatred.
He calls us not to respond to evil with evil, but to be bold enough to do good.
Let’s ask ourselves, am I following the logic of profit or the logic of free in my life? Christ’s extraordinary love is not easy, but it is possible.
“Let us pray to the Mother who has allowed us to make her the most noble creation of God’s grace, answering ‘yes’ to God without calculation – concluded the Pope’s message.
Let’s pray for the afflicted
Pope Francis called for prayers for people suffering from war, poverty and natural disasters. After the three-day prayer, the Pope requested the prayer.
The Pope asked for special prayers for the victims of the earthquakes in Syria and Turkey, for the people of Ukraine suffering from the war and for New Zealand suffering from the cyclone. The Pope asked us not to forget those who are suffering and to be careful with charity.
The Holy Father has sent financial aid to earthquake victims and thermal shirts to refugee camps. Food, diapers and other relief supplies were flown in from the Rome airport to the Vatican for earthquake victims.
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