Addressing the faithful in the Paul VI Hall on Wednesday, Pope Francis described the Prophet Elijah as « one of the most convincing figures in all of Sacred Scripture »
« He goes beyond the limits of his time », said the Pope He also recalled how Elijah appeared alongside Jesus, with Moses, at the time of the Transfiguration
Pope Francis said that the prophet Elijah is a man without « a precise origin, and above all without an end, taken to heaven: for this reason, his return was expected before the coming of the Messiah »
« Elijah is the example of all believers who know temptation and suffering, but do not fail to live according to the ideal for which they were born »
Focusing on Elijah’s prayer life, Pope Francis pointed out how prayer and contemplation sustained the prophet not only in times of great success, but also in the face of adversity and persecution
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In his spontaneous remarks, Pope Francis stressed the need for the “spirit of Elijah” in today’s world
« How much we need believers, zealous Christians, who stand up before responsible people with the courage of Elijah: to say: » You cannot do this «
« Elijah is the man of God, who defends the primacy of the Most High And yet he too is obliged to come to terms with his own frailties »
Pope Francis explained to those gathered that Elijah « shows us that there should be no dichotomy in the life of those who pray: we stand before the Lord and go to the brothers and sisters to whom He sends us The proof of prayer is the true love of neighbor «
Elijah teaches us, commented the Pope, that ardent prayer and union with God cannot be dissociated from concern for the needs of others
Departing from his prepared text, Pope Francis noted that prayer is « a confrontation with God and letting oneself be sent to the service of one’s brothers and sisters »
In prayer, Pope Francis stressed, the prophet grew in discernment of the will of the Lord and found the courage to speak out against injustice, even at great personal cost
Elijah’s experience of God in prayer, he noted, culminated when the Lord appeared to him not in wind and fire, but « in a silent whisper »
“This is the story of Elijah,” the Pope concluded, “but it seems written for all of us”
« Some evenings we may feel useless and lonely That’s when prayer will come and knock on the door of our hearts »
« Even if we have done something wrong, or if we feel threatened and afraid, when we come back before God in prayer, serenity and peace will return as if by miracle »
The Pope’s Agenda
Pope Francis, Rosary, Mary, Vatican City, Catholic Church
News from the world – United States – Pope Francis: We need courageous Christians like Elijah – Vatican News
SOURCE: https://www.w24news.com
