By Charles Igwe
Pope Francis has emphasized the transformative power of God’s mercy, highlighting how divine love reaches people in their most uncertain and challenging moments.
In his March 26 catechesis titled “Jesus Christ Our Hope”, the pope reflected on the Gospel of St. John, particularly the story of the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well. He noted that Jesus intentionally passed through Samaria, despite the historical tensions between Jews and Samaritans, to offer salvation to a woman burdened by a complicated past.
“Jesus waits for us and lets himself be found precisely when we think that there is no hope left for us,” the pope wrote.
The Holy Father explained that Jesus, rather than being deterred by the woman’s painful history and unanswered questions, revealed himself to her in a profound and personal way:
After encountering Jesus, the woman ran back to her village to share her experience, an act the pope described as a powerful model for evangelization.
“To proclaim the Gospel, we first need to set down the burden of our history at the feet of the Lord,” he wrote. “Only reconciled people can bring the Gospel.”
Pope Francis, who is currently recuperating at Casa Santa Marta following his hospitalization at Gemelli Hospital, concluded his message by urging the faithful not to let their past **hold them back from renewing their journey of faith:
“God is merciful and awaits us always!”
