The Pontiff stressed that “love for Jesus is more important than all the commandments, but at the same time we are called to respect them.
Newsroom (11/08/2021 20:21 , Gaudium Press) During the general audience on Wednesday, Pope Francis continued his catechesis on the Letter of the Apostle Paul to the Galatians. The theme chosen by the Pontiff to be explored today was on the relationship between law and charity.
“If you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law” (Gal 5:18), says St. Paul, referring to the particular precepts of the Mosaic law. It is quite certain that “the observance of the [Mosaic] Law guaranteed the people the benefits of the Covenant and the particular bond with God,” Pope Francis expressed.
Love for Jesus is more important than all the commandments
“One should not think that St. Paul was against the Mosaic Law. Several times in his Letters he defends its divine origin and affirms that it plays a very specific role in the history of salvation. But the Law does not give life, it does not offer the fulfilment of the promise, because it is not in a position to be able to fulfil it. Those who seek life must look to the promise and its fulfilment in Christ”, the Pontiff stressed.
The Pope also stated that “love for Jesus is more important than all the commandments, but at the same time we are called to respect them, since they are the ‘pedagogues’ that lead us to encounter the Lord. It is clear that when Saint Paul speaks of the law, he is not referring to the Decalogue which, in Francis’ view, is a faithful guide to God.
Phone call during the general audience
An unprecedented event in the history of general audiences has caught the attention of the public and the press. A member of Vatican security interrupted the Pontiff’s programme by bringing him a mobile phone after Francis had greeted the Italian-speaking faithful. The Pope left the stage for four minutes while he answered the phone call. Only after that did the Pope greet some of the faithful present in the Paul VI Hall. Media, claim that it was a communication with a member of the Secretariat of State. (EPC)
