Remember that you are made for heaven, says Pope Francis

We must always remember that we are made for heaven, said Pope Francis in his Regina Coeli speech on Sunday.

Speaking in the library of the Apostolic Palace due to the coronavirus pandemic, the pope said on May 10: "God is in love with us. We are his children. And for us he has prepared the most worthy and beautiful place: paradise. "

“Let's not forget: the home that awaits us is paradise. Here we are passing. We are made for paradise, for eternal life, to live forever. "

In his reflection before the Regina Coeli, the pope focused on the Sunday Gospel reading, John 14: 1-12, in which Jesus addresses his disciples during the Last Supper.

He said, "At such a dramatic moment, Jesus began by saying," Don't let your hearts be troubled. " He also says it to us in the dramas of life. But how can we make sure that our hearts are not troubled? "

He explained that Jesus offers two remedies for our turmoil. The first is an invitation to us to trust him.

"He knows that in life, the worst anxiety, the turmoil, comes from the feeling of not being able to cope, from feeling alone and without reference points before what happens," he said.

“This anxiety, in which difficulty adds to difficulty, cannot be overcome alone. That's why Jesus asks us to have faith in him, that is, not to lean on ourselves, but on him. Because the liberation from anguish passes through trust. "

The Pope said that Jesus' second remedy is expressed in his words "In my Father's house there are many places of habitation ... I am going to prepare a place for you" (John 14: 2).

"This is what Jesus did for us: he reserved a place for us in paradise," he said. "He took on our humanity to bring it beyond death, to a new place, in heaven, so that where it is, we could also be there"

He continued: “Forever: it's something we can't even imagine now. But it is even more beautiful to think that this will always be all in joy, in full communion with God and with others, without more tears, without rancor, without division and upheaval. "

"But how to reach paradise? What is the path? Here is the decisive phrase of Jesus. Today he says: "I am the way" [John 14: 6]. To ascend to heaven, the way is Jesus: it is to have a living relationship with him, to imitate him in love, to follow in his footsteps. "

He urged Christians to ask themselves how they were following.

"There are ways that don't lead to heaven: ways of worldliness, ways of self-affirmation, ways of selfish power," he said.

“And there is the way of Jesus, the way of humble love, of prayer, of meekness, of trust, of service to others. He goes on every day asking, 'Jesus, what do you think of my choice? What would you do in this situation with these people? ' "

“It will do us good to ask Jesus, who is the way, for directions to heaven. May Our Lady, Queen of Heaven, help us to follow Jesus, who opened heaven to us ”.

After reciting Regina Coeli, the pope remembered two anniversaries.

The first was the seventieth anniversary of the Schuman Declaration on 9 May, which led to the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community.

"It inspired the process of European integration," he said, "allowing the reconciliation of the peoples of the continent after the Second World War and the long period of stability and peace that we benefit from today".

"The spirit of the Schuman Declaration cannot fail to inspire all those who have responsibilities in the European Union, called to face the social and economic consequences of the pandemic in a spirit of harmony and cooperation".

The second anniversary was that of St. John Paul's first visit to Africa 40 years ago. Francis said that on May 10, 1980 the Polish pope "gave voice to the cry of the Sahel people, severely tried by the drought".

He praised a youth initiative to plant a million trees in the Sahel region, forming a "Great Green Wall" to combat the effects of desertification.

"I hope many will follow the example of the solidarity of these young people," he said.

The pope also noted that May 10 is Mother's Day in many countries.

He said: “I want to remember all mothers with gratitude and affection, entrusting them to the protection of Mary, our heavenly Mother. My thoughts also go to mothers who have passed on to another life and accompany us from heaven ".

He then asked for a moment of silent prayer for mothers.

He concluded: “I wish everyone a good Sunday. Please don't forget to pray for me. Good lunch and goodbye for now. "

Subsequently, he offered his blessing as he overlooked an almost empty St. Peter's square.