The Monday Edition


The Evangelical Pope | The Gospel of Life is for All Humanity

December 16, 2024

Living Words from John Paul II

Edited by Abraham A. van Kempen

 

Published Sunday, 15 December 2024 


Pope John Paul II blesses a baby in Ars, France, Oct. 6, 1986. Photo by Daniel Janin/AFP via Getty Images

 

Each week we let Saint Pope John Paul II share meaningful signposts to spark socio-economic resolves through justice and righteousness combined with mercy and compassion; in short, love.

 


               “We are writing this that our joy may be complete …“

               __ 1 John 1: 4

 


Saint Peter’s Basilica – 25 March 1995 | The revelation of the Gospel of life is given to us as a good to be shared with all people so that all men and women may have fellowship with us and with God (1 John 1: 3). Our joy would not be complete if we did not share this Gospel with others but kept it only for ourselves.

 

The Gospel of life is not for believers alone but for everyone.

 

               The issue of life and its defense and promotion is not solely the concern of Christians. Although faith provides special light and strength, this question arises in every human conscience who seeks the truth and cares about humanity’s future.

 

               Life certainly has sacred and religious values, but those values are not a concern only for believers.

 

               The value at stake is one that every human being can grasp by reason; thus, it necessarily concerns everyone.

 

 

The ‘People of Life’ consider themselves fortunate to share the same aspirations as so many others. Thus, they will become increasingly numerous, and a new culture of love and solidarity will be developed for the true good of the human community.

 

Excerpted from:

 

IOANNES PAULUS PP. II


EVANGELIUM VITAE

 

To the Bishops, Priests, Deacons, Men and Women religious lay Faithful and all People of Good Will on the Value and Inviolability of Human Life. Given in Rome, at Saint Peter’s, on 25 March, the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, in 1995, the seventeenth of my Pontificate.

 

https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_25031995_evangelium-vitae.html