Pope Francis says life is not a soap opera or video game, so we better take our eternal salvation seriously.
He stressed this to the faithful in St. Peter’s Square today at noon, during his Sunday Angelus address, as he reflected on salvation.
The Pontiff drew inspiration from today’s reading from the Gospel of Luke, in which Jesus, going toward Jerusalem, is approached by a man who asks Him, if only a few people will be saved, and Jesus, not giving a direct answer, notes the door is narrow.
With the image of the door, the Jesuit Pontiff explained, the Lord wants to explain to His listeners that it is not a question of numbers, of how many people will be saved. Francis noted that «how many» is not what matters, but what does, is that everyone understands the door that leads to salvation.
On Why It’s Narrow
«But where is the door? What is it like? Who is the door?» the Pope asked, reminding all the pilgrims that Jesus Himself is the door, as He says in the Gospel of John.
The Pontiff then acknowledged that some may be asking themselves why the door is narrow.
«It is a narrow door,» he responded, «not because it is oppressive – no, but because it asks us to restrict and limit our pride and our fear, to open ourselves with humble and trusting heart to Him, recognizing ourselves as sinners, in need of His forgiveness.»
He highlighted its need to be narrow to contain our pride.
God Has No ‘Favorites’
«The door of God’s mercy is narrow but always wide open, wide open for everyone!» he said, stressing, «God has no favorites, but always welcomes everyone, without distinction.»
The salvation that the Lord gives us, Francis stressed, is an endless stream of mercy, which can break down all barriers and bring surprising peace and light.
«The gate is narrow, but always wide open: do not forget this,» he said.
Pressing Invitation
The Pontiff then told those in the Square that as Jesus speaks to His faithful today, He continues to offer them a pressing invitation to come to Him, be reconciled and happy.
«He waits for us, no matter what sin we have committed, no matter what, to embrace us, to offer us His forgiveness. He alone can transform our hearts, He alone can give full meaning to our existence, giving us the real joy.»
Escaping Worldly Attitudes and Bad Habits
«Upon entering the gate of Jesus, the door of faith and of the Gospel, we can get out from worldly attitudes, bad habits, by selfishness and by the closures,» he said.
Francis explained that when there is contact made with God’s love and mercy, «there is a real change,» and our lives will be «illuminated by the light of the Holy Spirit: an inextinguishable light!»
Proposal
«I would like to make a proposal,» Francis said. «Let us think now, in silence, for a moment to the things we have inside of us and prevent us through the door: my pride, my sins. And then, let us think of the other door, that is open from the mercy of God, Who on the other side, is waiting for us, to give forgiveness.»
The Holy Father reminded those present how the Lord offers us many opportunities to be saved and enter through the door of salvation. «This door is an opportunity, that must not be wasted,» he said.
Not Video game or Soap Opera
The Pontiff acknowledged that those present may ask themselves: ‘But if God is good and loves us, why does He close the door at some point?’
To this he responded, «Because our life is not a video game or a soap opera; our life is serious and the goal to achieve is important: eternal salvation.»
Pope Francis concluded his words before the Angelus prayer to ask Mary, Door of Heaven, to intercede in inspiring faithful to seize the opportunities the Lord gives to reach their end goal of salvation.
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On ZENIT’s Web page:
Full English Translation: https://zenit.org/articles/angelus-address-on-salvation/
