Pope Francis: Christians need not fear in moments of trial and adversity because God´s grace is more powerful than evil
Pope Francis: In times of trial, never give in to despair.
Vatican City, 21/06/20.- "Christians need not fear in moments of trial and adversity because the grace of God is more powerful than evil... In times of trial, never give in to despair," said Pope Francis before praying the Angelus with the pilgrims gathered in St. Peter´s Square at the Vatican.
Addressing the faithful who were waiting for a message of hope, Pope Francis also recalled the celebration of Father´s Day in many countries of the world and assured all fathers of his "closeness and prayer".
"We all know that being a father is not an easy task. Therefore, let us pray for them. I also remember in a special way our fathers who continue to protect us from heaven," said Pope Francis referring to the Fathers.
Do not be afraid of the feeling of abandonment.
In his keynote address, the Pope reflected on the Sunday Gospel reading from St. Matthew, in which Jesus tells his disciples to "not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.
Like the suffering of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, Christians can sometimes feel alone and think that God himself has abandoned them
Sometimes one feels this spiritual dryness. We shouldn´t be afraid of it. The Father takes care of us, because we are very precious in His eyes. What is important is the frankness, the value of our testimony, of our testimony of faith: "to recognize Jesus before others" and to continue doing good.
Suffering persecution for the sake of the Gospel of love
Among the tangible situations that Christians can face was the hostility of those who want to stifle the word of God by sweetening it, diluting it or silencing those who proclaim it.
The physical threat of violence and persecution against Jesus´ disciples is another prophecy made by Jesus that is fulfilled in all times.
It is a painful reality, but it testifies to the faithfulness of the witnesses. How many Christians are still persecuted today all over the world! They suffer for the Gospel with love, they are the martyrs of our days. And we can say with certainty that they are more than the martyrs of the first times: so many martyrs, just because they are Christians.
Those who seek to extinguish the Gospel with arrogance and violence can do nothing against one´s soul and union with God.
The only fear a disciple must have is to lose this divine gift, this closeness and friendship with God, to stop living according to the Gospel, thus experiencing moral death, which is the effect of sin.
Qriswell Quero, Venezuelan, faithful husband and father of a family. Electronic engineer and missionary of the faith. Committed to the proclamation of the Gospel. Solid believer that there are always new beginnings. Whoever has God has nothing to stop him.
