We Must Never Tire of Asking for God's Mercy

Today, Pope Francis gave his first Angelus address since his election to the papacy. Using today's Gospel reading for the theme of his noontime talk, Francis spoke to the crowd in Saint Peter's Square about God's infinite and boundless Mercy.

The Gospel of John 8:1-11 shows us that we must not judge or be critical of others because not one of us is without sin. How can we condemn others, when we ourselves have faults and failings?

A woman caught in adultery is brought to Jesus, and in a test the scribes and Pharisees ask Him if according to the law the woman should be stoned. Jesus says: “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” In response they leave and Jesus is alone with the woman. He says to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She replied, “No one, sir.” Then Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and from now on do not sin any more.”

God is Good. No matter how we fail, He forgives through His Mercy.

Francis said something that we need to remember every day: "The Lord never tires of forgiving, never! It is we who tire of asking for forgiveness."

If we want mercy, we must ask for it and then show mercy to others.

There's the challenge and the directive for us. To be like our creator we must be merciful, forgive others and, as important, ask for our own forgiveness. We cannot heal if we don't seek forgiveness. It is necessary.

Pray for forgiveness and the strength to forgive others. If we do, we will make the world, as Francis said today, "less cold and more just."