Vatican City (Wednesday, 09/17/2014, Gaudium Press) In today’s General Audience, with thousands of faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis continued his catechesis explaining why the Church is catholic and apostolic.
It is well known that “Catholic” means universal; nevertheless this is not the only meaning. “The word catholic signifies that she is universal. This means that the Church is found everywhere and teaches the whole truth regarding the heavens and the earth.
The Church shows her catholicity by speaking all languages which is the effect of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit gave to the Apostles and the whole Church the gift of proclaiming the Good News of God’s salvation and love to all, even to the ends of the earth” said the Pope quoting St. Cyril of Jerusalem.
Pope Francis suggested once again that we should all carry with us a “pocket” Gospel, so we can dip into it during the day.
The Church is missionary in nature, devoted to evangelization and encounter; that is, she is apostolic. Founded on the Apostles and in continuity with them, the Church is called to proclaim the Gospel to everyone, and to show the tenderness and power of God. This too flows from Pentecost.
It is the Holy Spirit who prevents us from being self-absorbed, of thinking that the blessings of God are for us alone.
Rather, the Spirit compels us to encounter our brothers and sisters, even those most distant from us in every way, to share with them the love, peace, and joy of the Risen Lord. May we always live in solidarity with all of humanity, and never closed in on ourselves. May we go out, in communion with the Successors of the Apostles, to announce Christ and his love to all. And may we always be a sign of the Church our Mother: holy, catholic and apostolic.
From Vatican Radio
