Pope Francis Angelus October 16: reflection, prayer and synod

During the Angelus on Sunday, October 16, Pope Francis urges us not to stray from the love of God and to always pray, even during a hectic life. For even with a busy heart, it is important that the bond with the Lord never grow cold.

The reflection preceding the Angelus on Sunday October 16 opens with an important question. Referring to the gospel of today’s liturgy, Pope Francis wonders if Jesus can still regain faith by returning to Earth. And this question gives rise to an important reflection which the Holy Father places on the attentive ear of the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square.

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“Let us imagine that the Lord came to earth today: unfortunately, he would see so many wars, so much poverty, so much inequality, and at the same time great technological achievements, modern means and people who are still running, not s never stop. But would he find those who devote time and affection to him, who put him first? “.

Pope Francis’ reflections before the Angelus

Pope Francis returns to the theme of prayer and its importance and presents it to the faithful who listen to the Angelus on Sunday, October 16. Aware that often we are struggling with a hectic pace of life, with the rush towards things that we consider urgent, but which perhaps are not, the Holy Father urges us never to forget the Lord . Prayer is Jesus’ way of offering us a remedy to “warm up lukewarm faith”. The Pontiff defines dialogue with the Lord (prayer) as a “medicine for the faith” and a “tonic for the soul”. But it must be constant, like a plant that needs water periodically to survive.

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As the Pope explains, it is not possible to experience exclusive moments and then “go into hibernation”, but it is essential to heal the faith, every day, through prayer. Only this is how: “He can enter our time, our history”. And in this context, the Holy Father introduces the function of ejaculations, those short prayers, “little messages” which, even with few words, allow us not to detach ourselves from the dialogue with the Lord. “How often do we text the people we love! Let’s also do it with the Lord, so that the heart remains connected to him, and let’s not forget to read his answers. The Lord always answers. Where are they to be found? In the Gospel, to be kept always close at hand and to be opened a few times a day, to receive a Word of life which is addressed to us”.

The two sessions of the Synod

Finally, at the end of the Angelus, the Holy Father recalls that the first phase of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops opened on October 10, 2021. Since then, the first phase of the Synod has been taking place in the Particular Churches, with listening and discernment. As Pope Francis wishes to underline, before greeting the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square and those listening through the media: “The fruits of the synodal process that has begun are many, but for them to reach full maturity, it is necessary not to be in a hurry”.

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“Therefore – concludes the Pontiff – in order to have a more relaxed time of discernment, I have established that this Synodal Assembly will take place in two sessions. The first from October 4 to 29, 2023 and the second in October 2024. I hope that this decision will be able to promote understanding of synodality as a constitutive dimension of the Church and help everyone to live it in a journey of brothers and sisters who bear witness to the joy of the Gospel”.