CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, SEPT. 12, 2010 (Zenit.org).- Despite our faults, God still loves us, says Benedict XVI.
The Pope said this today during a reflection on the «three parables of mercy» before praying the midday Angelus with the crowds gathered at the papal summer residence in Castel Gandolfo.
The three parables are found in Chapter 15 of Luke’s Gospel, and they tell the story of the «shepherd who goes after the lost sheep, of the woman who looks for the lost coin, of the father who goes to meet and embrace his prodigal son.»
«Dear friends, how can we not open our heart to the certainty that, although being sinners, we are loved by God?» the Pontiff asked. «He never tires to come to meet us, he is the first to take to the road that separates us from him.»
«Repentance is the measure of faith, and thanks to it, one returns to the truth,» the Holy Father added.
Referring to the parable of the prodigal son, Benedict XVI noted that «when the older brother appears indignant over the festive welcome given his brother, it is always the father who goes to meet him and plead with him: ‘Son, you are always with me and everything I have is yours.'»
«Only faith can transform egotism into joy and restore right relations with our neighbor and with God,» the Pontiff affirmed. «‘We must celebrate and rejoice,’ the father says, ‘for this brother of yours … was lost and has been found.'»
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On ZENIT’s Web page:
Full text: www.zenit.org/article-30321?l=english
