Pope Francis has explained today who are are the «true children of God» who «show us the way of true happiness.»
They are the ‘peacemakers,’ the Pontiff said during his General Audience, this Wednesday, April 15, 2020, in his papal library, his first since Easter Sunday, in the midst of the pandemic of coronavirus worldwide.
Continuing his series of catecheses on the Beatitude, today he turned to the Seventh Beatitude: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Mt 5:9)
After reflecting on types of peace, that real peace from God, and that artificial modern idea of interior peace, where we think we find it in ourselves alone, the Pope spoke on what peace really is, and moreover, who is a peacemaker.
In this Easter season, the Pope reminded, «we see Jesus bringing the gift of his own peace, a fruit of his death and resurrection.» The Lord, he underscored, «bestows his gift not as the world does – where “peace” is often purchased at the expense of others…»
A peacemaker, he said, «is someone who, by God’s grace, imitates Jesus in bringing reconciliation to others by giving of themselves, always and everywhere!»
«Those who do so,» the Holy Father said, «are true children of God and show us the way of true happiness.»
Pope Francis concluded, wishing «Once again, I wish you all a happy Easter, in the peace of Christ!»
Given the various precautions implemented to protect against further contagion, like the Holy Father’s morning Masses and Angelus, this weekly event is made available to faithful via streaming and done privately in his apostolic library.
The Pope concluded his audience with various greetings and praying we have a Blessed Easter Season. The General Audience ended with the Pope giving his Apostolic Blessing.
Here is the Vatican-provided English summary of today’s General Audience:
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Speaker:
Dear Brothers and Sisters: In our continuing catechesis on the Beatitudes, we now turn to the seventh Beatitude: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Mt 5:9). One kind of peace can be seen in the biblical term Shalom, which signifies an abundant, flourishing life. A second idea is the modern notion of interior serenity. Yet this second type of peace is incomplete since spiritual growth often occurs precisely when our tranquillity has somehow been disturbed. In this Easter season we see Jesus bringing the gift of his own peace, a fruit of his death and resurrection. The Lord bestows his gift not as the world does – where “peace” is often purchased at the expense of others – but by destroying hostility in his own person (cf. Eph 2:14). A peacemaker, then, is someone who, by God’s grace, imitates Jesus in bringing reconciliation to others by giving of themselves, always and everywhere! Those who do so are true children of God and show us the way of true happiness. Once again, I wish you all a happy Easter, in the peace of Christ!
Speaker:
I greet the English-speaking faithful joining us through the media. In the joy of the Risen Christ, I invoke upon you and your families the loving mercy of God our Father. May the Lord bless you!
