This afternoon, VIII Sunday in Ordinary Time, the Holy Father, Pope Francis paid a pastoral visit to the Roman parish of San Crispino da Viterbo a Labaro, in the Northeastern sector of the Diocese of Rome.
Upon his arrival, at 3:50pm local time (9:50am EST), the Pope was welcomed by His Eminence, Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, Vicar General for the Diocese of Rome; along with His Excellency, Guerino Di Tora, Auxiliary Bishop for the Northern Sector; the Pastor, Father Luciano Cacciamani; the Associate Pastor, Father Andrea Lamonaca and the other priests who exercise their priestly service in that community.
Inside the parish hall, on the first floor, Pope Francis met the children who attend catechism classes in preparation for the Sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation, as well as young adults who have already been Confirmed and who are part of the parish oratory. Younger children welcomed the Holy Father with a song and a short reading, while the older children asked a few questions.
Immediately afterwards, at the end of the meeting with the children who are attending catechism classes, in a nearby room, the Holy Father met with the parents of children who have recently been baptized as well as those who will soon celebrate Baptism. Then, the Pope climbed to the third floor, where he met a group of homeless persons who are being assisted by the parish Caritas office and by the Community of Sant'Egidio. Some volunteers were also present. Then, the Holy Father met with the sick and disabled, greeted the priests of the community and celebrated the Sacrament of Reconciliation with five parishioners of varying ages.
At 5:20pm local time (11:20am EST), the Pope presided over the celebration of Holy Mass inside the parish church. After the proclamation of the gospel, the Holy Father shared an unscripted homily.
At the conclusion of the Eucharistic celebration, before the final Blessing, the Pastor, Father Luciano Cacciamani offered a brief greeting to the Pope, expressing words of gratitude for his visit and presenting a gift of art which was painted by Meo Carbone and dedicated to the theme of immigration.
Before leaving the parish to return to the Vatican, the Holy Father offered a greeting to the many faithful who were waiting outside the church.
We have heard in the gospel how Jesus explained Christian wisdom to the people, with parables. For example, a blind man cannot lead another blind man; then, the disciple is not greater than his Master; then, there is no good tree that produces bad fruit. In this way, with these words, he taught people.
I want to focus on just one of these images, which I have not yet spoken of. Now I will tell you (he reads from the scriptures): Why do you see the speck in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the log in your own eye? How can you say to your brother: 'Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye', while you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? Hypocrite. First, take the log out of your own eye and then you will be able to see well, to take the speck out of your brother's eye. With these words, the Lord wishes to teach us not to be critical of others, and not to continue looking only at the defects of others: first, look to your own self, your own defects: But, Father, I have no defects! - Ah, congratulations! I assure you that if you do not realize that you have defects while you are here on earth, you will discover them in Purgatory! You would be better off to admit them here on earth.
We all have defects, all of us. But we are used to them, partly through inertia, partly by the force of our own ego's gravity; we get used to seeing the defects of others; we are specialists, all of us, in this domain. We see the defects of others right away. And we speak about them. Because it seems to be good to speak about others, we love to do this. No, maybe in this parish there is no gossiping - he laughs - but in other places and in many communities, this is the way it is. It always happens this way: Ah, how are you? - Good, good, at this particular time, I am well ... - Have you seen this ...? And suddenly, we fall into the trap.
I do not know if you've heard these things, but it's something bad. And it is not a new thing: even in the time of Jesus this was done. It is something that, through original sin which we have inherited, we are led to condemn others, to condemn. And immediately we are specialists in finding the bad things about others, without seeing our own. And Jesus says: You condemn him for a little thing, and you have so many bigger things, but you do not see them. And this is true: our malice is not so much because we are used to not seeing our limits, not seeing our faults, but we are specialists in seeing the faults of others.
And Jesus tells us a very ugly word, very ugly: If you do these things, you are hypocrites. It is ugly to say hypocritical: this is the word Jesus used for the Pharisees, the lawyers, those who said one thing and did another. Hypocritical. Hypocrite means one who has a double thought, a double judgment: one says one thing openly, and another thing secretly, one who condemns others. It is having a double way of thinking, a double way of being seen. They show themselves as good, perfect people, and behind closed doors, they condemn. This is why Jesus escapes from this hypocrisy and advises us: It is more beautiful that you look at your faults and let others live in peace. Do not put yourself in another person's life: look at yourself.
And this is something that does not end there: the chatter does not end in in words; the chatter goes further, it sows discord, it sows enmity, it sows evil. Listen to this, I am not exaggerating: language wars begin. You can start a war by talking about others. You can take a step towards war, destruction. Because it is the same to destroy another person with language and with an atomic bomb, it is the same. You destroy. And language has the power to destroy, like an atomic bomb. It is very powerful. And I am not the one who says this, the Apostle James says this in his Letter. Take the Bible and look at it. It's very powerful! It is capable of destroying. And with insults, with misbehaving in this way, so many wars begin: domestic wars - you begin to shout - wars in the neighbourhood, in the workplace, in the school, in the parish ... This is why Jesus says: Before talking about others, take a mirror and look at yourself; look at your faults and be ashamed of having them. And so you will become silent about the faults of others ... No, Father, but so often, there are bad people, who have so many faults ... But, all right, be brave, be brave, and say it to yourself: You are bad, you are bad, because you are doing this and this. Speak it openly, not behind people's backs, not from behind. Tell them the truth, to their faces. But he does not want to listen to me. Then tell those who can remedy this, who can correct it, but do not talk about it in chatter, because idle chatter does not solve anything, indeed. It makes things worse and leads you to war.
Soon, we will begin Lent: it would be so nice if each of us, in this Lent, were to reflect on this. How do I behave with people? How is my heart in front of people? Am I a hypocrite? Do I smile and then criticize and destroy with my tongue? And if by the end of Lent, we can correct this a little, and not always criticize others from behind their backs, I assure you that the Resurrection of Jesus will be seen more beautifully, more present among us. Eh, Father, it is very difficult, because I am used to criticizing others - some of us can say this, because it is a habit that the devil puts in us. It's true, it's not easy. But there are two medicines that help a lot. First of all, prayer. If you come to peel another, criticize another, pray for him, pray for her, and ask the Lord to address that problem, and as for you, to close your mouth. First remedy: prayer. Without prayer we can not do anything. And secondly, there is another medicine, which is also practical like prayer: when you feel the desire to talk about someone, you can bite your tongue. Bite down firmly! Because this will make your tongue swell up and you will not be able to speak - laugh - this is practical medicine, it's very practical.
Think seriously about this. Jesus says: Why do you look at the faults of others and do not look at your own faults, which are bigger? Think about this. Do you think that this ugly habit is the beginning of so many arguments, so many domestic wars, wars in the neighbourhood, wars in the workplace, so many enmities. Think about it. And pray to the Lord, pray that he may give us the grace not to speak ill of others. And every day keep your dentures ready to provide the second medicine!
May the Lord bless you!
Original text in Italian
(Translation in progress)
Upon his arrival, at 3:50pm local time (9:50am EST), the Pope was welcomed by His Eminence, Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, Vicar General for the Diocese of Rome; along with His Excellency, Guerino Di Tora, Auxiliary Bishop for the Northern Sector; the Pastor, Father Luciano Cacciamani; the Associate Pastor, Father Andrea Lamonaca and the other priests who exercise their priestly service in that community.
Inside the parish hall, on the first floor, Pope Francis met the children who attend catechism classes in preparation for the Sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation, as well as young adults who have already been Confirmed and who are part of the parish oratory. Younger children welcomed the Holy Father with a song and a short reading, while the older children asked a few questions.
Immediately afterwards, at the end of the meeting with the children who are attending catechism classes, in a nearby room, the Holy Father met with the parents of children who have recently been baptized as well as those who will soon celebrate Baptism. Then, the Pope climbed to the third floor, where he met a group of homeless persons who are being assisted by the parish Caritas office and by the Community of Sant'Egidio. Some volunteers were also present. Then, the Holy Father met with the sick and disabled, greeted the priests of the community and celebrated the Sacrament of Reconciliation with five parishioners of varying ages.
At 5:20pm local time (11:20am EST), the Pope presided over the celebration of Holy Mass inside the parish church. After the proclamation of the gospel, the Holy Father shared an unscripted homily.
At the conclusion of the Eucharistic celebration, before the final Blessing, the Pastor, Father Luciano Cacciamani offered a brief greeting to the Pope, expressing words of gratitude for his visit and presenting a gift of art which was painted by Meo Carbone and dedicated to the theme of immigration.
Before leaving the parish to return to the Vatican, the Holy Father offered a greeting to the many faithful who were waiting outside the church.
Unscripted Homily of the Holy Father, Pope Francis
for the Mass celebrated at San Crispino da Viterbo
We have heard in the gospel how Jesus explained Christian wisdom to the people, with parables. For example, a blind man cannot lead another blind man; then, the disciple is not greater than his Master; then, there is no good tree that produces bad fruit. In this way, with these words, he taught people.
I want to focus on just one of these images, which I have not yet spoken of. Now I will tell you (he reads from the scriptures): Why do you see the speck in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the log in your own eye? How can you say to your brother: 'Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye', while you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? Hypocrite. First, take the log out of your own eye and then you will be able to see well, to take the speck out of your brother's eye. With these words, the Lord wishes to teach us not to be critical of others, and not to continue looking only at the defects of others: first, look to your own self, your own defects: But, Father, I have no defects! - Ah, congratulations! I assure you that if you do not realize that you have defects while you are here on earth, you will discover them in Purgatory! You would be better off to admit them here on earth.
We all have defects, all of us. But we are used to them, partly through inertia, partly by the force of our own ego's gravity; we get used to seeing the defects of others; we are specialists, all of us, in this domain. We see the defects of others right away. And we speak about them. Because it seems to be good to speak about others, we love to do this. No, maybe in this parish there is no gossiping - he laughs - but in other places and in many communities, this is the way it is. It always happens this way: Ah, how are you? - Good, good, at this particular time, I am well ... - Have you seen this ...? And suddenly, we fall into the trap.
I do not know if you've heard these things, but it's something bad. And it is not a new thing: even in the time of Jesus this was done. It is something that, through original sin which we have inherited, we are led to condemn others, to condemn. And immediately we are specialists in finding the bad things about others, without seeing our own. And Jesus says: You condemn him for a little thing, and you have so many bigger things, but you do not see them. And this is true: our malice is not so much because we are used to not seeing our limits, not seeing our faults, but we are specialists in seeing the faults of others.
And Jesus tells us a very ugly word, very ugly: If you do these things, you are hypocrites. It is ugly to say hypocritical: this is the word Jesus used for the Pharisees, the lawyers, those who said one thing and did another. Hypocritical. Hypocrite means one who has a double thought, a double judgment: one says one thing openly, and another thing secretly, one who condemns others. It is having a double way of thinking, a double way of being seen. They show themselves as good, perfect people, and behind closed doors, they condemn. This is why Jesus escapes from this hypocrisy and advises us: It is more beautiful that you look at your faults and let others live in peace. Do not put yourself in another person's life: look at yourself.
And this is something that does not end there: the chatter does not end in in words; the chatter goes further, it sows discord, it sows enmity, it sows evil. Listen to this, I am not exaggerating: language wars begin. You can start a war by talking about others. You can take a step towards war, destruction. Because it is the same to destroy another person with language and with an atomic bomb, it is the same. You destroy. And language has the power to destroy, like an atomic bomb. It is very powerful. And I am not the one who says this, the Apostle James says this in his Letter. Take the Bible and look at it. It's very powerful! It is capable of destroying. And with insults, with misbehaving in this way, so many wars begin: domestic wars - you begin to shout - wars in the neighbourhood, in the workplace, in the school, in the parish ... This is why Jesus says: Before talking about others, take a mirror and look at yourself; look at your faults and be ashamed of having them. And so you will become silent about the faults of others ... No, Father, but so often, there are bad people, who have so many faults ... But, all right, be brave, be brave, and say it to yourself: You are bad, you are bad, because you are doing this and this. Speak it openly, not behind people's backs, not from behind. Tell them the truth, to their faces. But he does not want to listen to me. Then tell those who can remedy this, who can correct it, but do not talk about it in chatter, because idle chatter does not solve anything, indeed. It makes things worse and leads you to war.
Soon, we will begin Lent: it would be so nice if each of us, in this Lent, were to reflect on this. How do I behave with people? How is my heart in front of people? Am I a hypocrite? Do I smile and then criticize and destroy with my tongue? And if by the end of Lent, we can correct this a little, and not always criticize others from behind their backs, I assure you that the Resurrection of Jesus will be seen more beautifully, more present among us. Eh, Father, it is very difficult, because I am used to criticizing others - some of us can say this, because it is a habit that the devil puts in us. It's true, it's not easy. But there are two medicines that help a lot. First of all, prayer. If you come to peel another, criticize another, pray for him, pray for her, and ask the Lord to address that problem, and as for you, to close your mouth. First remedy: prayer. Without prayer we can not do anything. And secondly, there is another medicine, which is also practical like prayer: when you feel the desire to talk about someone, you can bite your tongue. Bite down firmly! Because this will make your tongue swell up and you will not be able to speak - laugh - this is practical medicine, it's very practical.
Think seriously about this. Jesus says: Why do you look at the faults of others and do not look at your own faults, which are bigger? Think about this. Do you think that this ugly habit is the beginning of so many arguments, so many domestic wars, wars in the neighbourhood, wars in the workplace, so many enmities. Think about it. And pray to the Lord, pray that he may give us the grace not to speak ill of others. And every day keep your dentures ready to provide the second medicine!
May the Lord bless you!
Original text in Italian
Words offered by His Holiness, Pope Francis
during various meetings held as part of the pastoral visit
(Translation in progress)
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