General Audience of 5th September 2018 - English summary

Summary: Dear brothers and sisters: In our continuing catechesis on the Ten Commandments, we now consider the command to keep holy the Lord’s Day. For the Scriptures, this day of rest is not a mere escape or diversion, but a command to imitate God himself, who on the seventh day rested from his works and contemplated the goodness of his creation. Our day of rest, like his, must be an occasion of joy, praise, and thanksgiving for the gift of life, culminating in our celebration of the Eucharist, the supreme act of thanksgiving given to us by the Lord himself. How easy it is to be negative, to dwell on life’s problems and challenges, and to try to flee from them! On the other hand, accepting God’s invitation to give thanks for the goodness of life and creation entails a conscious choice. Goodness, like love, is never forced on us; it must be freely chosen and accepted. When, on our weekly day of rest, we contemplate our lives and the world around us, let us be conscious of God’s provident care and conform ourselves, like Jesus, to the Father’s will, knowing that, in the end, “all is grace”. For, as the Psalmist assures us, in God alone do our souls find rest.

Greetings: I greet the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today’s Audience, especially those from England, Denmark, Hungary, Malta, New Zealand, India, the Philippines, Vietnam and the United States of America. I also greet the priests of the Institute for Continuing Theological Education of the Pontifical North American College. Upon all of you, and your families, I invoke the joy and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ. God bless you!