Thursday -25th February 2016
On guard Against Worldliness
But those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. – (Romans 8:5)
We are all Church, and we must all follow the path of Jesus, who himself took the road of renunciation. He became a servant, one who serves; he chose to be humiliated even to the cross. And if we want to be Christians, there is no other way.
But can’t we make Christianity a little more human – they say- without the cross, without Jesus, without renunciation? In this way we would become like Christians in a pastry shop, saying: “what beautiful cakes, what beautiful sweets!” Truly beautiful, but not really Christians. … The Christians cannot coexist with the spirit of the world, with the worldliness that leads us to vanity, to arrogance, to pride. And this is an idol, it is not God. It is an idol! And idolatry is the gravest of sins!
And when the media speaks about the church, they believe the Church is made up of priests, sisters, bishops, cardinals, and the Pope. But we are all the Church, as I said. And we all must strip ourselves of this worldliness: the spirit opposing the spirit of the Beatitudes, the spirit opposing the spirit of Jesus. Worldliness hurts us.
Address, October 4, 2013 – Pope Francis
Reflection
In What ways am I influenced by the “spirit of the world”?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, help me to live according to the Gospel values. Together, as Church, may we strip ourselves of any spirit contrary to yours.
Lent with Pope Francis – Daily Reflection – Pauline Publication