‘2017 was spoilt by war, injustice and pollution’ — Pope Francis
The Roman Catholic leader shares the same sentiment with people who felt that 2017 was not a great year.
He shared his thoughts at a New Year’s Eve prayer service in St. Peter’s Basilica, which is a regular tradition.
TIME reports that the Roman Catholic Pontiff used his homily to air his opinion on what ruined last year.
He started by noting that 2017 was supposed to be good because God had originally given us a “whole and sound” year.
However, he added that “we humans in so many ways ruined and hurt it with works of death, with lies and injustices.”
In his words, “The wars are the flagrant sign of this repeated and absurd pride.
“But so are all the little and big offenses against life, truth, brotherhood, that cause multiple forms of human, social and environmental degradation.”
Pope’s New Year’s Eve message features a heartbreaking picture
Mirror reports that the Pope is pushing for a heart wrenching picture of young victims of the 1945 Nagasaki nuclear bombing with the caption ‘the fruit of war’ to be printed on cards.
The purpose is for people to see and understand the harsh effects of wars.
Pope Francis encouraged everyone to acknowledge their part in the spoilt year saying, “We want to, and must assume, before God, our brothers and Creation our responsibility.”
The Pontiff ended the homily on a positive note by appreciating parents, educators and those who “cooperate silently for the common good.”
Billy Graham weighs in on 2017
Meanwhile, popular evangelist Billy Graham is also offering words of encouragement to anyone that had a difficult 2017.
He did this in an advice column where a reader asked the 99-year-old Baptist pastor why God seemed so absent throughout last year.
The reader asked: “I can’t wait for this year to end. It’s just been one problem after another-family sickness, a couple of deaths, financial issues, you name it. I begged God to solve them, but nothing happened. Where was God in all this?”
Graham responded in two parts. First, he explained that God cares for us then gave tips on how to make 2018 a better year.
In his words, remember that “God knew what was going on in your life, and He deeply cared about you, even if it didn’t seem like it at the time.”
“In the midst of a terrible time for God’s people, the prophet Jeremiah could still say, ‘His compassions never fail’ (Lamentations 3:22).”
“What I do know is that evil is real, and sometimes it seems to gain the upper hand, at least for a time. I also know that God knows all about evil and suffering, for His only Son, Jesus Christ, endured the suffering and death of the cross. But beyond the cross was the empty tomb, and because of Christ’s resurrection, you and I can have hope-both now and forever.”
Faced with hard times, “We can either become bitter and turn against God, or we can turn in faith to Him, and find in Him the strength and hope we need. Which will it be for you?”
In 2018, Graham says, “Ask him to come into your life. Then ask Him to give you His strength and wisdom as you face life’s challenges. Remember: When we know Christ, nothing ‘will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord’ (Romans 8:39).”
2017 may have been just as terrible as Pope Francis said it was, but this new year promises to be a lot better Hang in there.
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