Teachings of Pope Francis - Part III

Every Christian is called to be a bearer of hope that gives serenity and joy. We first must experience the joy of being consoled by God then we can bring joy to others. This is important if our mission is to be fruitful: we must feel God's consolation and pass it on to others!

Today no one in our world feels responsible - we have lost a sense of responsibility for our brothers and sisters. The culture of comfort, which makes us think only of ourselves, makes us insensitive to the cries of other people. It even leads to the globalization of indifference. We have become used to the suffering of others: it doesn't affect me, it doesn't concern me, it is none of my business! We are a society which has forgotten how to experience compassion.

Young people are the window through which the future enters the world. We must give them space. We have to create the material and spiritual conditions for their full development. We have to pass on to them lasting values that make life worth living.

The young have the strength and they do the carrying and the elderly are the ones who give life's wisdom. We do the elderly an injustice when we set them aside as if they have nothing to offer us. We need them both.

Anyone who is a man or a woman of hope - the type of hope which faith gives - knows that even in the midst of difficulties God acts.

Christians should be joyful, they should not be gloomy. Christians cannot be pessimists! They do not look like someone in constant mourning. If we are truly in love with Christ and if we sense how much He loves us, our hearts will "light up" with a joy that spreads to everyone around us.

Regardless of our difficulties. Regardless how great they may seem, God never allows us to be overwhelmed by them. Always know in your heart that God is by your side. He never abandons you! God is our hope! Les us maintain a positive outlook on reality.

If we want life to have real meaning and fulfilment "Put on faith." "Put on faith," Put on hope," "Put on love."

Do not water down your faith in Jesus Christ. Take care of the two ends of the population: the elderly and the young. Read the Beatitudes and read Matthew Chapter 25 it is the standard by which we will be judged.

Where does Jesus send us? He sends us to everyone. The Gospel is for everyone. Do not be afraid to go and to bring Christ into every area of your life. He wants everyone to feel the warmth of His mercy and love.

Young people, Jesus Christ is counting on you! The Church is counting on you! The Pope is counting on you!

I ask you is your heart filled with desire or is it a closed heart, a sleeping heart, a heart numb to the things of life? Where is your treasure, what are you longing for? Jesus told us: where your treasure is, there will be your heart. Do you wish to do good to others, to live for the Lord and for your brothers and sisters?

We are to go forward in life with love, with the love the Lord has sown in our hearts. God's love has a name and a face: Jesus Christ. Love for God is manifest in Jesus. It is a love that gives value and beauty to everything else. God in Jesus always opens us to hope.

If there is no hope, we are not Christian.

Following Jesus means being involved.

Following Jesus entails giving up evil and selfishness and choosing good, truth and justice, even when this demands we sacrifice.

Becoming acquainted with other people and other cultures is always good for us, it makes us grow. If we isolate ourselves we cannot develop culturally. If we seek out other people, other cultures, other ways of thinking, other religions, we go out of ourselves and start that most beautiful adventure which is called "dialogue". Dialogue is very important for our own maturity, because in confronting another person, confronting other cultures and confronting other religions in the right way, we grow, we develop and mature. It is impossible for peace to exist without dialogue.

In our day we pass in front of so many doors that invite us to come in, promising a happiness which later we realize lasts only an instant. Let's not be afraid to cross the threshold of faith in Jesus. Enter through Jesus's door.

Are you Christians by label or by the truth? Being Christian is living and witnessing to faith in prayer, in works of charity, in promoting justice, in doing good.