Pope Francis: Put forgiveness and mercy at the center of your life

We cannot ask for God's forgiveness for ourselves unless we are ready to forgive our neighbors, Pope Francis said in his Sunday Angelus address.

Speaking from a window overlooking St. Peter's Square on September 13, the pope said: "If we don't strive to forgive and love, we won't even be forgiven and loved."

In his speech, the pope reflected on the Gospel reading of the day (Matthew 18: 21-35), in which the apostle Peter asked Jesus how many times he was asked to forgive his brother. Jesus replied that it was necessary to forgive "not seven times but seventy-seven times" before telling a story known as the parable of the merciless servant.

Pope Francis noted that in the parable the servant owed a large sum to his master. The master forgave the servant's debt, but the man did not in turn forgive the debt of another servant who owed him only a small sum.

“In the parable we find two different attitudes: that of God - represented by the king - who forgives a lot, because God always forgives, and that of man. In the divine attitude, justice is pervaded by mercy, while the human attitude is limited to justice, ”he said.

He explained that when Jesus said that we must forgive “seventy-seven times,” in biblical language he meant always to forgive.

"How many sufferings, how many lacerations, how many wars could be avoided, if forgiveness and mercy were the style of our life," said the pope.

"It is necessary to apply merciful love to all human relationships: between spouses, between parents and children, within our communities, in the Church, and also in society and politics".

Pope Francis added that he was struck by a phrase from the first reading of the day (Sirach 27: 33-28: 9), “Remember your last days and put aside enmity”.

“Think about the end! Do you think you will be in a coffin ... and will you bring the hate there? Think about the end, stop hating! Stop the resentment, ”he said.

He likened resentment to an annoying fly that keeps buzzing around a person.

“Forgiveness is not just a momentary thing, it is a continuous thing against this resentment, this hatred that returns. Let's think about the end, let's stop hating, ”the pope said.

He suggested that the parable of the merciless servant might shed light on the phrase in the Lord's prayer: "And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors."

“These words contain a decisive truth. We cannot ask for God's forgiveness for ourselves if we in turn do not grant forgiveness to our neighbor, ”he said.

After reciting the Angelus, the pope expressed his sorrow for a fire that broke out on September 8 in the largest refugee camp in Europe, leaving 13 people without shelter.

He recalled a visit he made to the camp on the Greek island of Lesbos in 2016, with Bartholomew I, ecumenical patriarch of Constantinople, and Ieronymos II, archbishop of Athens and of all Greece. In a joint statement, they pledged to ensure that migrants, refugees and asylum seekers receive "a humane welcome in Europe".

"I express solidarity and closeness to all the victims of these dramatic events," he said.

The pope then noted that protests had erupted in several countries amid the coronavirus pandemic in recent months.

Without mentioning any nation by name, he said: “While I urge protesters to present their demands peacefully, without giving in to the temptation of aggression and violence, I appeal to all those with public and governmental responsibilities to listen to their voice fellow citizens and to satisfy their just aspirations, ensuring full respect for human rights and civil liberties ".

“Finally, I invite the ecclesial communities who live in these contexts, under the guidance of their Pastors, to work in favor of dialogue, always in favor of dialogue, and in favor of reconciliation”.

Subsequently, he recalled that this Sunday the annual world collection for the Holy Land will be held. Harvesting is usually resumed in churches during Good Friday services, but has been delayed this year due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

He said: "In the current context, this collection is even more a sign of hope and solidarity with Christians who live in the land where God became flesh, died and rose for us".

The pope greeted groups of pilgrims in the square below, identifying a group of cyclists suffering from Parkinson's disease who had traveled the ancient Via Francigena from Pavia to Rome.

Finally, he thanked the Italian families who offered hospitality to pilgrims throughout August.

"There are many," he said. “I wish everyone a good Sunday. Please don't forget to pray for me "