Pope Francis on August 7, 2019, resumed his regular Wednesday General Audiences, suspended for July as is the Vatican custom.
This Wednesday’s event was held in Paul VI Hall, where the Holy Father continued his catechesis on the Acts of the Apostles. He also expressed a special wish for newlyweds, the elderly, and the sick.
“Dear Brothers and Sisters: In our continuing catechesis on the Acts of the Apostles, we now see how the Apostles preached the Gospel of salvation not only in words but in concrete actions.,” Francis said. “The first account of healing in Acts bears witness to this.
“Peter and John encounter a man born lame at the entrance to the Temple. This poor beggar, who represents the excluded and discarded members of society, is looking for alms. The two Apostles fix their gaze on him, inviting him to a different way of seeing things. They offer him not silver or gold, but the greatest gift of all: the salvation to be found in Jesus Christ.
“They create a relationship with him, for this is how God desires to reveal himself: through a loving encounter between people. Saint John Chrysostom saw in this act of raising up a lame person an image of the resurrection. It is also an image of the Church, called to look for those in need and to lift them up. As we also strive to help others, let us, like Peter and John, always recognize our own need for that greatest treasure, which is our relationship with the Risen Lord.”
The Holy Father also expressed a special greeting for English speakers attending the General Audience:
“I greet the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today’s Audience, especially those from Malta, China, Japan and the United States of America. Upon you and your families, I invoke the joy and peace of the Lord. May God bless you!”
