Pope distributes free copies of Gospels, recalls Rwanda genocide

April 07, 2014 - Pope Francis on Sunday distributed thousands of free pocket-sized Gospels to a vast crowd gathered in St. Peter’s square to recite the weekly midday “Angelus” prayer and receive his blessing. The special edition with the four Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles, is the Holy Father’s incentive to encourage Christians to read and meditate on the Word of God often. Last Sunday he suggested that all should have a little copies of the Gospels to carry about and read often. Thinking about the ancient tradition of giving the Gospel to catechumens preparing for baptism, the Pope said he was offering them a pocket-sized gospel. They will be distributed to you freely,” the Pope explained. “Take one, carry it with you: it is truly Jesus who speaks to you,” he urged. “This is the word of Jesus!” Those skeptical about the free gift and want to pay, the Pope made a deal with them. “In exchange for this gift, do an act of charity, a free gesture of love for another: a prayer for a friend, a reconciliation, something.” Whether in a book or on a smartphone or tablet, said the Pope later, “the important thing is to read the word of God, with all means, but read the word - it’s Jesus who speaks there! And welcome it with an open heart. So the good seed bears fruit!” “Jesus can heal deadened hearts,” the Pope added.
The pontiff’s “Angelus” reflection focussed on the episode of Jesus’ raising Lazarus from the dead, which he said is a sign of Jesus’ own resurrection and the hope for our eternal life. The Pope explained that Jesus’ resurrection invites us “to get out of the tomb into which our sins have caused us to collapse, making us content with a false, selfish, mediocre life. “Let us be free from the ‘bandages’ of pride,” Pope Francis urged, saying we do it when we decide to obey the command of Jesus, coming to the light, to life.”
After praying the “Angelus”, the Pope expressed his fatherly closeness to the people of the Rwanda who on Monday, April 7, marked the 20^th anniversary of the terrible 100-day genocide in which over a a million Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed. The Pope encouraged Rwandans “ to continue, with determination and hope, the process of reconciliation that has already manifested its fruit.” “Don’t be afraid!” the Pope appealed, “Build your society on the rock of the gospel, in love and in harmony, because only in this way can you build lasting peace!”
The Pontiff also recalled the earthquake that shook the Italian town of Aquila five years ago on April 6, killing almost 300 people, injuring 1,500, and leaving nearly 65,000 homeless. “At this time we want to unite ourselves with that community which has suffered so much, and still suffers, struggling and hoping, with great faith in God and in the Virgin Mary.”
He also went on to pray for the victims of the Ebola virus that is spreading in Guinea and neighboring countries. “May the Lord sustain the efforts to combat this epidemic and provide care and assistance to all those in need.”