Pope Francis says Gospel is unfinished and 'we are all called to become living writers' of the 'book of God's mercy'

Pope Francis blesses a child at the end of a Jubilee mass in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican on April 3, 2016. Reuters

Pope Francis called on Catholics to continue living the "Gospel of Mercy," saying it's an open book for them to record their good deeds.

The Pope made the remarks on Divine Mercy Sunday, explaining that the Gospel started by Jesus and the apostles is still unfinished, the Catholic News Agency reported.

"The Gospel is the book of God's mercy, to be read and reread, because everything that Jesus said and did is an expression of the Father's mercy," Pope Francis said on Sunday.

He said at the end of the day's Gospel reading from John, the evangelist expressed that while Jesus Christ carried out many signs in the presence of his disciples, not all of them were written down.

As such, "the Gospel of mercy remains an open book, in which the signs of Christ's disciples, which are concrete acts of love and the best witness to mercy, continue to be written," the Pope said.

He said "we are all called to become living writers of the Gospel" by doing corporal and spiritual works of mercy that symbolise Christian life.

"By means of these simple yet powerful gestures, even when unseen, we can accompany the needy, bringing God's tenderness and consolation," he said.

The Pope said to be an apostle means touching and soothing the wounds that afflict the bodies and souls of many.

Pope Francis prayed that all would receive the grace "to never grow tired of drawing from the well of the Father's mercy and bringing it to the world."

During the feast of Divine Mercy on Saturday, Pope Francis said, "The more we receive, the more we are called to share it with others; it cannot be kept hidden or kept only for ourselves."

"It is something which burns within our hearts, driving us to love, thus recognising the face of Jesus Christ, above all in those who are most distant, weak, alone, confused and marginalised," he said.

The feast is celebrated on the first Sunday after Easter every year and it was instituted by St. John Paul II in 2000.

"Mercy seeks out the lost sheep, and when one is found, a contagious joy overflows. Mercy knows how to look into the eyes of every person; each one is precious, for each one is unique," Pope Francis said during his address.

He said God never tires of showing mercy on everybody and the chance to receive mercy should never be taken for granted.

"It is something always new, which inspires awe and wonder as we see God's immense creativity in the ways he comes to meet us," he said.

related articles
Stand together to defend our Christian values, says Cameron
Stand together to defend our Christian values, says Cameron

Stand together to defend our Christian values, says Cameron

After sombre week, Pope leads Catholics into Easter stressing hope
After sombre week, Pope leads Catholics into Easter stressing hope

After sombre week, Pope leads Catholics into Easter stressing hope

Use \'weapons of love\' to fight evil of terrorism, Pope says on Easter
Use 'weapons of love' to fight evil of terrorism, Pope says on Easter

Use 'weapons of love' to fight evil of terrorism, Pope says on Easter

Donald Trump credits \'greatest guy\' Norman Vincent Peale for boosting his Christian faith and self-confidence
Donald Trump credits 'greatest guy' Norman Vincent Peale for boosting his Christian faith and self-confidence

Donald Trump credits 'greatest guy' Norman Vincent Peale for boosting his Christian faith and self-confidence

Pope Francis demands protection for Pakistan\'s Christians
Pope Francis demands protection for Pakistan's Christians

Pope Francis demands protection for Pakistan's Christians

Mother Angelica, America\'s most famous nun and founder of world\'s largest Catholic TV network, dies on Easter at age of 92
Mother Angelica, America's most famous nun and founder of world's largest Catholic TV network, dies on Easter at age of 92

Mother Angelica, America's most famous nun and founder of world's largest Catholic TV network, dies on Easter at age of 92

Re-reading the Easter story and other things you can do to keep that Easter feeling alive
Re-reading the Easter story and other things you can do to keep that Easter feeling alive

Re-reading the Easter story and other things you can do to keep that Easter feeling alive

Six Instagram accounts Christians should follow for a more inspiring and enlightening feed
Six Instagram accounts Christians should follow for a more inspiring and enlightening feed

Six Instagram accounts Christians should follow for a more inspiring and enlightening feed

Just half of Italians say they are Catholic
Just half of Italians say they are Catholic

Just half of Italians say they are Catholic

Franklin Graham urges prayer in advance of Moscow summit on persecuted Church
Franklin Graham urges prayer in advance of Moscow summit on persecuted Church

Franklin Graham urges prayer in advance of Moscow summit on persecuted Church

Obama: Terrorists want to \'weaken our faith\', but \'we heal hatred with love\'
Obama: Terrorists want to 'weaken our faith', but 'we heal hatred with love'

Obama: Terrorists want to 'weaken our faith', but 'we heal hatred with love'

\'The Joy of Love\': Pope Francis\' post-synod exhortation to be released Friday
'The Joy of Love': Pope Francis' post-synod exhortation to be released Friday

'The Joy of Love': Pope Francis' post-synod exhortation to be released Friday

News
Report calls for standardisation and specialism in RE
Report calls for standardisation and specialism in RE

An independent review into the national curriculum for schools has highlighted the urgent need for standardised religious education (RE) across the country and greater subject specialism to ensure “mastery in the subject”. 

GP body shifts to ‘unwarranted and misleading’ neutral stance on assisted suicide despite declining support
GP body shifts to ‘unwarranted and misleading’ neutral stance on assisted suicide despite declining support

The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) is facing criticism after changing from its longstanding opposition to assisted suicide to a neutral stance, despite a significant reduction in support among its members for legalising the practice.

Faith leaders pray for Trump
Faith leaders pray for Trump

Faith leaders have gathered to pray for President Trump, but not everyone is happy.

Rare pre-Reformation scroll to go on display in York
Rare pre-Reformation scroll to go on display in York

An extremely rare pre-Reformation scroll will go on display after being found in a shoebox.