"
Possessiveness is the enemy of the good and kills affection
: the many cases of domestic violence, of which unfortunately we have frequent news, almost always arise from the claim to possess the other's affection, from the search for absolute security which it kills freedom and suffocates life, making it a hell".
Thus the Pope during the general audience in the Paul VI hall in the Vatican, where he entered walking, leaning on a cane.
"We can love only in freedom, for this reason the Lord created us free, free even to say no to Him", Francis explained.
"
In the process of discernment
, it is also important to remain attentive to the phase that immediately follows the decision taken, in order to catch the signs that confirm it or those that deny it".
Pope Francis said this in his general audience, in which today, resuming the cycle of catechesis on Discernment, he focused his meditation on the theme: "The confirmation of the good choice".
"One of the hallmarks of the good spirit - he explained - is the fact that it communicates a peace that lasts over time. A peace that brings harmony, unity, fervor, zeal".
For example, "if I make the decision to dedicate an extra half hour to prayer, and then I realize that I experience the other moments of the day better, I am more serene, less anxious, I carry out my work with more care and enjoyment, even relationships with some difficult people they become easier…: these are all important signs that go in favor of the goodness of the decision taken".
According to the Pontiff, "the goodness of a choice benefits all areas of our lives", and "we can recognize some important aspects that help to interpret the time following the decision as a possible confirmation of its goodness".
A first aspect, Francis underlined, "is whether the decision is considered as a possible sign of response to the love and generosity that the Lord has for me.
Another important element "is the awareness of feeling at one's place in life
, and part of a larger design, to which we wish to offer our own contribution". And the Pope exemplified: "in St. Peter's Square there are two precise points - the foci of the ellipse - from which you can see Bernini's columns perfectly aligned.
Similarly, man can recognize that he has found what he is looking for when his day becomes more orderly, he feels a growing integration between his many interests, establishes a correct hierarchy of importance and manages to live all this with ease, facing with renewed energy and fortitude the difficulties that arise". Finally, for the Pontiff, "another good sign of confirmation is the fact of remaining free with regard to what has been decided, willing to call it into question,
even to give it up in the face of possible denials, trying to find in them a possible teaching of the Lord.
This is not because He wants to deprive us of what is dear to us, but to live it freely, without attachment.
Only God knows what is really good for us". "Recognizing this - he concluded - is essential for a good decision, and reassures us about what we cannot control or predict: health, the future, loved ones, our plans ".
