Pope Francis: 'We are never alone, Jesus is with us always'

Before the Regina Coeli with pilgrims in St Peter's Square on Sunday, Pope Francis reflected on the days' Gospel reading that describes the Last Supper and Jesus' promise to the Apostles. The Lord tells the apostles their mission is to take the Gospel message into the world and that they will not be alone. "The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I have said to you: teach and remember."

The Pope explained that the Spirit would remember the teachings of Jesus in various concrete circumstances of life, so as to be able to put them into practice. That, he said, is precisely what is happening in the Church today, a Church that is guided by the light and by the strength of the Holy Spirit so that the Lord can bring the gift of salvation to everyone, the love and the mercy of God.

Pope Francis encouraged everyone present to read a passage from the Gospel every day and reminded them they are not alone: "Jesus is near us, among us, within us! His new presence in history takes place through the gift of the Holy Spirit, through whom you can establish a living relationship with Him, the Crucified and Risen One."

He said the Holy Spirit, poured into us through the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation, acts as a guide in our lives, directing us in the way we think, in the way we act, helping us distinguish good from bad. It helps us to practice the charity of Jesus, giving to others, especially to the neediest.

The sign of the presence of the Holy Spirit is also in the peace that Jesus gives to his disciples, he said. It is different from what men hope or attempt to accomplish - "the peace of Jesus arises from victory over sin, over that selfishness that prevents us from loving one another as brothers."

The Holy Father concluded his catechesis saying that every disciple who is called to follow Jesus carrying the cross, receives the peace of the Risen Christ in the certainty of his victory, and in expectation of his coming.

Source: Vatican Radio