“Hatred is not to be carried in the name of God! War is not to be waged in the name of God!" This was Francis’ desperate call at the Sunday Angelus, just a few days before he is due to embark on his first trip to Asia. Referring to the situations in Iraq and Gaza, Francis said: “The news reports coming from Iraq leave us in dismay and disbelief: thousands of people, including many Christians, driven from their homes in a brutal manner; children dying of thirst and hunger in their flight; women taken and carried off; violence every kind; destruction of historical, cultural and religious patrimonies. All this gravely offends God and humanity,” Francis said before a packed St. Peter’s Square. Faithful from all over the world attended today’s Angelus. The Pope thanked “those who, with courage, are bringing succour to these brothers and sisters, and I am confident that an effective political solution on both the international and the local levels may be found to stop these crimes and re-establish the [rule of] law.”
“In order better to ensure those dear suffering populations of my closeness to them, I have named [Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples] Cardinal Fernando Filoni as my Personal Envoy in Iraq, who shall depart from Rome tomorrow [Monday]. In Gaza, also: after a truce, war has once again resumed – a war that cuts down innocent victims and does nothing but worsen the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.” “Let us pray together the God of peace, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary: Grant us peace, O Lord, in our days, and render us artificers justice and peace. We also pray for the victims of the Ebola virus and for those who are fighting to stop it.”
“From next Wednesday 13 August, through Monday 18, I will be making an apostolic journey to Korea,” the Pope reminded his audience. “Please, accompany me with prayer!”
Before the Angelus prayer, Francis reflected on the Sunday Gospel, which presents the story of Jesus walking on the water of the lake. “After the multiplication of the loaves and fish, Jesus called his disciples to get into the boat and go ahead to the other side of the lake while he bid farewell to the crowds; he then goes to the mountain alone until late, to pray.” “Meanwhile, a strong storm breaks out on the lake but right in the midst of this, Jesus walks on the water, to reach the boat with his disciples. When they see him, they are frightened as they think it is a ghost, but he sets their minds at rest: ‘Don’t be afraid, it’s me!’ Typically, Peter asks him for proof: ‘Lord, if it's you, order me to come to you on the water.’ Jesus says to him: ‘Come!’ Peter gets out of the boat and starts walking on the water but the strong wind knocks him over and he almost drowns. He shouts: ‘Lord, save me!’ and Jesus stretches his hand out and drags him out.” This story is a beautiful illustration of the Apostle Peter’s faith. "The voice of Jesus telling him:" Come! ", He recognizes the echo of the first meeting on the shore of that lake, and now, once again, leaves the boat and goes to the Master. And walking on the water!”
“A trusting and ready response to the Lord's call can” therefore “always accomplish extraordinary things. Instead, Peter begins to sink when he looks away from Jesus and is carried away by the adversities that surround him. But the Lord is always there, and when Peter calls, Jesus saves him from danger. Peter's character, with his outbursts and his weaknesses, reflects our faith: always fragile and poor, restless and yet victorious, the faith of the Christian walks to meet the risen Lord, in the midst of the world's storms and dangers.” “Peter's character, with his outbursts and his weaknesses, reflects our faith: always fragile and poor, restless and yet victorious, the faith of the Christian walks to meet the risen Lord, in the midst of the world's storms and dangers,” the Pope observed. So “even the final scene is very important. When they get into the boat, the wind ceases. The ones who are in the boat bow down before him, saying, ‘Truly you are the Son of God'." All of the disciples on the boat are united by the experience of weakness, of doubt, of fear, of "little faith." But when Jesus returns to the boat, the weather changes quickly: everyone feels united in faith in Him. All who were small and frightened become great when they bow their knee and recognize the Son of God in their master.” "This is an effective image of the Church: a boat that must face the storms and sometimes seems on the verge of being overwhelmed. It is not the quality and the courage of its men and women that saves it, but faith, which allows it to walk in the dark, in the midst of difficulties.”
“Faith gives us the peace of Jesus' presence always near, his hand that grasps our own to escape all dangers. All of us are on this boat, and here we feel safe despite our limitations and our weaknesses. We are save especially when we know how to fall to our knees and worship Jesus, the only Lord of our lives. This is what our mother, Mary calls us to do. Confident in this, we turn to her,” Francis concluded.
