Pope Francis: ‘This world will pass away and only love will remain’

When one is faced with an important difficult decision, Pope Francis’ advice is to imagine standing before Christ at the “threshold of eternity” because that is what ultimately matters.

Speaking from the window of the Apostolic Palace to pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square below, the pope urged people to reflect on whether their time is spent focusing on things that are transitory or in “the ultimate things that remain.”

“Brothers and sisters, let us ask ourselves: what are we investing our lives in? On things that pass, such as money, success, appearance, physical well-being? … When our time comes ... we have to leave everything behind,” Pope Francis said in his Angelus address on Nov. 14.

“The Word of God warns us today: This world will pass away and only love will remain,” he said.

Pope Francis recalled Jesus’ parable in which he warned not to build one’s life on sand, but to lay a solid, deep foundation on rock.

“According to Jesus, the faithful disciple is the one who founds his life on the rock, which is his Word (cf. Mt 7:24-27), which does not pass away, on the firmness of the Word of Jesus: this is the foundation of the life that Jesus wants from us, and which will not pass away,” the pope said.

“Those who do good are investing in eternity,” he said.

“When we see a person who is generous and helpful, meek, patient, who is not envious, does not gossip, does not brag, is not puffed-up with pride, does not lack respect (cf. 1 Cor 13:4-7), this is a person who builds Heaven on earth.”

Those who do good may not make headlines or receive any recognition for their good efforts, the pope acknowledged, but he underscored that “what they do will not be lost because good is never lost. Good lasts forever.”

“Here then is some advice for making important choices,” Pope Francis said.

“When one does not know what to do, how to make a definitive choice, an important decision, a decision that involves Jesus’ love … before deciding, let us imagine that we are standing in front of Jesus, as at the end of life, before Him who is love.”