Generosity that supports the weak, consoles the afflicted, relieves suffering and restores dignity to those stripped of it, is a condition for a fully human life.  The ability to stretch forth our hand shows that we possess an innate capacity to act in ways that give meaning to life. Pope Francis on Twitter

Prayer immerses Christians in God’s love for each and every person, and provides the missionary impulse to share the Gospel with every human person. God is God for everyone, and in Jesus every wall of separation has definitively crumbled. God’s love for us, and the love He asks in return, is the mystical root of the believer’s entire life.  Angelus Message, 11/25/2020

The teaching of the Gospel is clear. We need to pray always, even when everything seems vain…During those nights, the one who prays is never alone. Jesus is always present with those who pray, welcoming us in His prayer, so that we might pray in Him and through Him. This is the work of the Holy Spirit,
to give wings that the human person’s prayer has always desired to possess.

When we have strong feelings of doubt and fear and we seem to be sinking, we must not be ashamed to cry out, like Peter, “Lord, save me!”  This prayer is like knocking on God’s heart.  We can repeat it many times.  Jesus is the Father’s hand, the strong and faithful hand of the Father who never abandons us, who only wants what is good for us, coming to us not in the hurricane, the fire, the earthquake, but rather in the light breeze, that never imposes itself, but asks to be heard. Angelus message, 8/9/2020

Do not be afraid! Christ is alive, and desires that each of you live in his light.  Jesus renews us when we encounter Him.  We receive the mission to transmit this experience to others, while keeping our eyes fixed on Him. And he urges us to take time to be with Him in prayer, in order to discover the true adventure of life, filled with the light of Christ’s love.  Angelus Message, August 2, 2020

Like a sudden breaking storm, the coronavirus crisis has caught us all by surprise, abruptly changing on a global scale our personal, public, family and working lives….This dramatic situation highlights the vulnerable nature of our human condition. The pandemic has also forced us to question the roots of our happiness and to rediscover the treasure of our Christian faith.  It reminds us that we have forgotten or simply delayed attending to some of the key issues in life.  It is making us evaluate what is really important and necessary, and what is of secondary or only superficial importance. This crisis has shown us that, especially in times of need, we depend on our solidarity with others.  In a way it is inviting us to place our lives in the services of others.  It should make us aware of global injustice, and wake us up to the cry of the poor and of our gravely diseased planet.  July 28, 2020