Bishop Arrieta, on the reform of the Code: "Now the crimes, the penalties and the way to apply them are well determined".Mercy and correction in the ChurchOn Wednesday, June 2, Pope Francis held a general audience in the courtyard of San Damaso with a limited number of faithful.
The Pope continued his catechesis by speaking of how the Gospel shows us the prayer of Jesus as the foundation of his relationship with his disciples: "The Gospels show us how fundamental prayer was in Jesus' relationship with his disciples. It is already apparent in the choice of those who would later become the apostles. Luke situates the election in a precise context of prayer: "It happened in those days that he went away to the mountain to prayand spent the night in prayerGod's will. When it was daylight, he called his disciples, and chose twelve from among them, whom he also called apostles" (6:12-13). It seems that there is no other criterion in this choice if not prayer, dialogue with the Father. Judging by the way these men behaved later, it would seem that the choice was not the best; but it is precisely this, especially the presence of Judas, the future betrayer, which shows that these names were written in God's plan.
"Prayer on behalf of his friends," says the Pope, "continually reappears in the life of Jesus. At times the apostles become a cause of concern for him, but Jesus, just as he received them from the Father, so he carries them in his heart, even in their mistakes, even in their falls. In all this we discover how Jesus was teacher and friend, always ready to wait patiently for the disciple's conversion. The climax of this patient waiting is the "fabric" of love that Jesus weaves around Peter. At the Last Supper he says to him: "Simon, Simon! Behold, Satan has asked to be able to sift you like wheat, but I have begged for you, so that your faith may not fail. And you, when you have returned, strengthen your brethren" (Lk 22:31-32). It is impressive to know that, in the time of fainting, the love of Jesus does not cease, but becomes more intense and that we are at the center of his prayer".
Francis insists that the prayer of Jesus is fundamental at key moments: "The prayer of Jesus returns punctually at a crucial moment of his journey, that of the verification of the faith of the disciples. Let us listen again to the evangelist Luke: "And it happened that while he was praying alone, the disciples were with him, and he asked them, "Who do people say that I am?" They answered, "Some, John the Baptist; others, Elijah; others, that a prophet of old had risen." He said to them, "And who do you say that I am?" Peter answered, "The Christ of God." But he strongly commanded them to tell this to no one"(9:18-21). The great decisions in Jesus' mission are always preceded by intense and prolonged prayer. This test of faith seems like a goal, but instead it is a renewed starting point for the disciples, because, from then on, it is as if Jesus raises a tone in his mission, speaking openly to them of his passion, death and resurrection."
"In this perspective, which instinctively awakens repulsion, both in the disciples and in us who read the Gospel, prayer is the only source of light and strength. It is necessary to pray more intensely, every time the road gets steeper".
And indeed, continues the Holy Father, "after announcing to the disciples what awaits him in Jerusalem, the episode of the Transfiguration takes place. "It happened that about eight days after these words, he took with him Peter, John and James, and went up the mountain. to pray. . And it happened that, while prayingAnd behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem" (Lk 9:28-31). Therefore, this anticipated manifestation of the glory of Jesus took place in prayer, while the Son was immersed in communion with the Father and fully consented to his loving will, to his plan of salvation. And from that prayer came a clear word to the three disciples involved: "This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him" (Lk 9:35).
"From this quick tour through the Gospel, we deduce that Jesus not only wants us to pray as He prays, but He assures us that, even if our attempts at prayer are completely vain and ineffective, we can always count on His prayer. The Catechism says: "The prayer of Jesus makes Christian prayer an effective petition. He is its model. He prays in us and with us" (n. 2740). And a little further on it adds: "Jesus also prays for us, in our place and on our behalf. All our petitions have been gathered once for all in his words on the Cross; and heard by his Father in the Resurrection: therefore he does not cease to intercede for us before the Father" (n. 2741)".
Pope Francis concludes that "even if our prayers were only stammers, if they were compromised by a wavering faith, we must never cease to trust in him. Sustained by the prayer of Jesus, our timid prayers are supported on eagle's wings and soar to heaven."
