In his Wednesday General Audience, the pope spoke about two spiritual Works of Mercy, counseling the doubtful and instructing the ignorant.
He said that 'raising questions helps us find satisfying answers,â? and that it is a true work of mercy to 'counsel those troubled by doubts about the meaning of life.â?
He also said that 'the Church's mission has always been accompanied by teaching and the founding of schools,â? because education 'promotes the dignity of the person and provides for the full development of his or her God-given gifts.â?
SUMMARY OF POPE'S CATECHESIS
Dear Brothers and Sisters: Among the spiritual works of mercy, we now consider those of counseling the doubtful and instructing the ignorant. These two works are related and both can be practiced daily in our families and communities.
The Churchâ??s mission of evangelization has always been accompanied by teaching and the founding of schools, since education promotes the dignity of the person and provides for the full development of his or her God-given gifts.
Illiteracy and lack of access to education are in fact a form of poverty and injustice. Education develops our ability to think critically about ourselves and the world around us. By raising questions it also helps us to find satisfying answers. It is a true work of mercy to counsel those troubled by doubts about the meaning of life or shaken in their faith.
Let us be grateful to all who devote themselves to this work through catechesis and religious education. All of us are called to support one another by our witness of living faith and generous concern, for these are eloquent signs of the love of God which gives meaning and direction to our lives.
