VATICAN CITY, MAR 24, 1999 (VIS) - The theme of John Paul II's catechesis during today's general audience in St. Peter's Square, was "God the Father's Providential Love."
Quoting the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the Pope reminded the 22,000 pilgrims present that "the witness of Scripture is unanimous that the solicitude of divine providence is concrete and immediate; God cares for all, from the least things to the great events of the world and its history."
"However, with this message of the Father's providential love, the question spontaneously arises of how pain can be explained. It must be recognized that the problem of pain is an enigma before which human reason is lost. Divine Revelation helps us to understand that it is not willed by God, but that it entered the world because of people's sin. God allows it for the salvation of the person, by drawing good from evil."
The Holy Father affirmed that "God's plans are not those of the person; they are infinitely greater, and are often incomprehensible for the human mind. ... What should our attitude be before his provident and far-sighted divine action? We should not passively wait for what He sends us, but rather cooperate with Him so that He complete what He began to do in us. We should be above all concerned in the search for heavenly goods. ... Other goods should not be the object of excessive worry, because our heavenly Father knows our needs."
In conclusion of the catechesis, the Holy Father said that "the certitude of God's love lets us trust in his fatherly providence even in the most difficult moments of life. ... What is human misfortune can be part of that plan of infinite love with which the Father provides for our salvation."
After the audience, John Paul II implored the Father of mercy "to grant the gift of peace which Kosovo and Europe need so badly today."
AC;GOD FATHER;...;...;VIS;19990324;Word: 320;