VATICAN CITY, APR 7, 1999 (VIS) - At today's weekly general audience, which began at 10 a.m. in St. Peter's Square, Pope John Paul focussed on God's love for us which, he said, "cannot leave us indifferent, rather it asks us to reciprocate with a constant commitment of love."
"In the Old Testament," he observed, "the Law was seen as a sign of God's paternal love for His people, showing them how to live correctly in order to inherit the divine promises. Obedience to God is the source of life and blessings; separation from God causes man to fall under the power of evil and death."
The Holy Father then pointed out that "Jesus came not to abolish the Law but to bring it to fulfillment. He teaches us that the heart of the Law is the commandment to love God and to love our neighbor by treating others as we would want them to treat us. This is the path to follow if we are to be perfect as our Heavenly Father."
In concluding remarks on the love of God the Father, John Paul II said: "While he proclaims the Father's love, Jesus never fails to remind us that this is a demanding love. ... In all His words and actions, Jesus seeks only to do the Father's will. In obedience to the Father Jesus gives up His life for us. 'Greater love than this has no man, that a man lay down his life for his friends'."
AG;LOVE GOD FATHER;...;...;VIS;19990407;Word: 250;
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