At noon today, the Holy Father, Pope Francis appeared at the window of his study in the Vatican Apostolic Palace to recite the Angelus with the faithful and with pilgrims who had gathered in Saint Peter's Square for the usual Sunday meeting.
Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!
This Sunday's gospel, taken from chapter 18 of Matthew's text, presents the theme of fraternal correction within the community of believers: that is, how I should correct another Christian when he or she does something that is not good. Jesus teaches that if my Christian brother commits a fault against me, offends me, I should be charitable toward him and, first of all, speak with him personally, explaining that something he said or did was not good. If the brother doesn't listen to me, Jesus suggests a second intervention: first, go back and speak with him again, accompanied by two or three other people, so that he may be made more aware of the mistake he has committed. If he doesn't even accept this exhortation, I must speak with the community about it, and he doesn't even listen to the community, then he must feel the effects of the fracture and the detatchment that he himself has caused by not living up to the communion we share with our brothers and sisters in faith.
The various steps outlined indicate the effort that the Lord asks of his community in order to accompany those who do wrong, in order that we do not lose them. Above all, we should avoid the clamor caused by gossip in the community - this is the first thing, avoiding this - go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone (Mt 18:15). The attitude should always be one of delicacy, prudence, humility, paying attention to confronting the one who has committed a fault but without using words that might wound or kill our brother. You know, even words can kill! When I am wrong, when I make an unfair criticism, when I make fun of a brother with my tongue, this kills his reputation. Words can kill too. Let's be careful about this. At the same time, this discretion referring to speaking one on one has the effect of not unnecessarily embarrassing the sinner. A conversation takes place between two people, no one else needs to know about it, and the deed is done. In the light of this need, we should also include this series of interventions, including involving some witnesses and then even the community. The goal is to help the person realize what he has done, and that through his sin, he has offended not just one, but all of us. But it also helps us – us - to free ourselves from anger or resentment which only hurts: the bitterness of the heart that brings anger and resentment, and that leads us to insult and attack. But it is very bad to see this come out of the mouth of a Christian as an insult or an attack! It’s bad! Got it? No insults! Insulting is not Christian!
In fact, before God we are all sinners in need of forgiveness. Everyone! In fact, Jesus told us not to judge. Fraternal correction is a matter of love and communion that must prevail in the Christian community, it is a reciprocal service that we can and must render for one another. And it is possible and effective only if everyone is a sinner and in need of forgiveness of the Lord. The same conscience that makes me recognize the mistake of the other, beforehand reminds me that I have erred and wronged others so many times.
For this reason, at the beginning of every Mass, we are asked to recognize that we are sinners before the Lord, expressing with words and gestures sincere repentance of the heart. And we say: Have mercy on me, Lord. I am a sinner! I confess my sins to Almighty God. We don’t say: Oh Lord, have mercy on this person next to me or those that are sinners. No! Have mercy on me! All are sinners and in need of the Lord’s forgiveness. It is the Holy Spirit who speaks to our spirit and makes us recognize our faults in the light of the word of Jesus. And it is the same Jesus who invites us all, saints and sinners, to his table by gathering us at the main crossroads, the various situations life (cf. Mt 22.9-10). And among the conditions that are common to those participating in the celebration of the Eucharist, two are fundamental: we are all sinners and God gives everyone his mercy. We must always remember this before going to the brother to offer fraternal correction.
We ask all of this through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, noting that tomorrow we will celebrate the liturgical feast of her Nativity.
After the recitation of the Angelus, the Pope continued:
In these last few days there have been significant steps undertaken in the search for a truce in the regions affected by the conflict in eastern Ukraine. I hope that they can bring relief to the population and contribute to the efforts for a lasting peace. I pray that, in the logic of the meetings, the dialogue that has started will continue to bear the fruit that is hoped for.
Also I add my voice to that of the Bishops of Lesotho, who appealed for peace in that country. I condemn all acts of violence and pray to the Lord that the Kingdom of Lesotho will restore peace and justice in fraternity.
Dear brothers and sisters,
I greet all the pilgrims from Italy and other countries, in particular the group of Brazilians, the students of Saint Basil the Great School of Presov (Slovakia), the faithful from Sulzano (Brescia), Gravina di Puglia, Castiglion Fiorentino, Poggio Rusco (Mantova), Albignasego (Padua), from Molino High (Vicenza), the boys who were recently Confirmed from Matera, Valdagno and Vibo Valentia.
I cordially greet the Cardinal Archbishop of Lima and all the people of his diocese, who are beginning today the XX Archdiocesan Synod in Lima. May the Lord be close to you on this journey of faith, community and growth.
And remember that tomorrow, as I have already said, we will observe the liturgical feast of the Nativity of Our Lady. It will be her birthday. And what do we do when our mother celebrates her birthday? We greet her, we wish her well ... Remember her tomorrow, first thing in the morning, in your hearts and on your lips. Greet Our Lady by saying: Happy Birthday! Pray a Hail Mary with the heart of a son or a daughter. Remember!
To all of you I ask you to please pray for me, and I wish you a good Sunday and a good lunch. Goodbye!
Greetings of His Holiness, Pope Francis
prior to the recitation of the Angelus
Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!
This Sunday's gospel, taken from chapter 18 of Matthew's text, presents the theme of fraternal correction within the community of believers: that is, how I should correct another Christian when he or she does something that is not good. Jesus teaches that if my Christian brother commits a fault against me, offends me, I should be charitable toward him and, first of all, speak with him personally, explaining that something he said or did was not good. If the brother doesn't listen to me, Jesus suggests a second intervention: first, go back and speak with him again, accompanied by two or three other people, so that he may be made more aware of the mistake he has committed. If he doesn't even accept this exhortation, I must speak with the community about it, and he doesn't even listen to the community, then he must feel the effects of the fracture and the detatchment that he himself has caused by not living up to the communion we share with our brothers and sisters in faith.
The various steps outlined indicate the effort that the Lord asks of his community in order to accompany those who do wrong, in order that we do not lose them. Above all, we should avoid the clamor caused by gossip in the community - this is the first thing, avoiding this - go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone (Mt 18:15). The attitude should always be one of delicacy, prudence, humility, paying attention to confronting the one who has committed a fault but without using words that might wound or kill our brother. You know, even words can kill! When I am wrong, when I make an unfair criticism, when I make fun of a brother with my tongue, this kills his reputation. Words can kill too. Let's be careful about this. At the same time, this discretion referring to speaking one on one has the effect of not unnecessarily embarrassing the sinner. A conversation takes place between two people, no one else needs to know about it, and the deed is done. In the light of this need, we should also include this series of interventions, including involving some witnesses and then even the community. The goal is to help the person realize what he has done, and that through his sin, he has offended not just one, but all of us. But it also helps us – us - to free ourselves from anger or resentment which only hurts: the bitterness of the heart that brings anger and resentment, and that leads us to insult and attack. But it is very bad to see this come out of the mouth of a Christian as an insult or an attack! It’s bad! Got it? No insults! Insulting is not Christian!
In fact, before God we are all sinners in need of forgiveness. Everyone! In fact, Jesus told us not to judge. Fraternal correction is a matter of love and communion that must prevail in the Christian community, it is a reciprocal service that we can and must render for one another. And it is possible and effective only if everyone is a sinner and in need of forgiveness of the Lord. The same conscience that makes me recognize the mistake of the other, beforehand reminds me that I have erred and wronged others so many times.
For this reason, at the beginning of every Mass, we are asked to recognize that we are sinners before the Lord, expressing with words and gestures sincere repentance of the heart. And we say: Have mercy on me, Lord. I am a sinner! I confess my sins to Almighty God. We don’t say: Oh Lord, have mercy on this person next to me or those that are sinners. No! Have mercy on me! All are sinners and in need of the Lord’s forgiveness. It is the Holy Spirit who speaks to our spirit and makes us recognize our faults in the light of the word of Jesus. And it is the same Jesus who invites us all, saints and sinners, to his table by gathering us at the main crossroads, the various situations life (cf. Mt 22.9-10). And among the conditions that are common to those participating in the celebration of the Eucharist, two are fundamental: we are all sinners and God gives everyone his mercy. We must always remember this before going to the brother to offer fraternal correction.
We ask all of this through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, noting that tomorrow we will celebrate the liturgical feast of her Nativity.
After the recitation of the Angelus, the Pope continued:
In these last few days there have been significant steps undertaken in the search for a truce in the regions affected by the conflict in eastern Ukraine. I hope that they can bring relief to the population and contribute to the efforts for a lasting peace. I pray that, in the logic of the meetings, the dialogue that has started will continue to bear the fruit that is hoped for.
Also I add my voice to that of the Bishops of Lesotho, who appealed for peace in that country. I condemn all acts of violence and pray to the Lord that the Kingdom of Lesotho will restore peace and justice in fraternity.
Dear brothers and sisters,
I greet all the pilgrims from Italy and other countries, in particular the group of Brazilians, the students of Saint Basil the Great School of Presov (Slovakia), the faithful from Sulzano (Brescia), Gravina di Puglia, Castiglion Fiorentino, Poggio Rusco (Mantova), Albignasego (Padua), from Molino High (Vicenza), the boys who were recently Confirmed from Matera, Valdagno and Vibo Valentia.
I cordially greet the Cardinal Archbishop of Lima and all the people of his diocese, who are beginning today the XX Archdiocesan Synod in Lima. May the Lord be close to you on this journey of faith, community and growth.
And remember that tomorrow, as I have already said, we will observe the liturgical feast of the Nativity of Our Lady. It will be her birthday. And what do we do when our mother celebrates her birthday? We greet her, we wish her well ... Remember her tomorrow, first thing in the morning, in your hearts and on your lips. Greet Our Lady by saying: Happy Birthday! Pray a Hail Mary with the heart of a son or a daughter. Remember!
To all of you I ask you to please pray for me, and I wish you a good Sunday and a good lunch. Goodbye!
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