Scottish Catholic Observer

Pope Francis spoke about God’s mercy for the Chosen People during today general audience address in which he also told Arabic speaking pilgrims that God does not remain silent to their suffering.

“God does not remain silent before the suffering and cries of His children,” the Pope told pilgrims in St Peter’s Square this morning.

“Nor does He remain silent before injustice and persecution: He rather intervenes and gives, by His mercy, rescue and salvation.

“God bless you all and protect you from the Evil One.”

Earlier the Pope had considered God’s mercy at work in the history of the Chosen People, , referring to Moses, who led the Israelites from slavery to freedom, as he continued his catechesis on Mercy in the Bible.

“The Scriptures show the Lord’s merciful concern for Israel throughout its history, beginning with the call of Abraham,” he said. “God’s mercy is expressed particularly, however, in the experience of the exodus from Egypt.  God heard the cry of his people, as he hears the cry of the poor and oppressed in every age.  He raised up Moses to be the mediator of his mercy and salvation.

“Through Moses, he led Israel to freedom and, through the covenant, he made them his own possession, ‘a kingdom of priests and a holy nation’ (Ex 19:5-6), a people precious in his eyes.

“The mystery of God’s mercy culminates in the sending of his Son, the Lord Jesus, in that ‘new and eternal covenant’ inaugurated in his blood, whereby we are granted the forgiveness of our sins and become truly God’s children, beloved sons and daughters of our good and merciful Father.”

The Pope also drew attention to a Jubilee Year initiative to promote spiritual retreats for charity workers.