Vatican City, Mar 14, 2017 / 15:01 pm
Pope Francis urged Catholics in Tuesday's homily not only to avoid evil, but to pursue good in concrete actions, likening the Lenten conversion to a journey.
"Avoiding evil and learning to do good: this is the rule of conversion. Because being converted doesn't come from a fairy who converts us with a magic wand: No! It's a journey. It's a journey of avoiding and of learning," said the Pope during Mass at the Casa Santa Marta.
Beginning his homily with the first step of the journey, the Pope said that we must recognize "Each one of us, every day, does something ugly." He emphasized the importance of recognizing our own sins and he referenced to a quote from the book of Proverbs: "For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again."
This sin, he said, "poisons the soul," but he encouraged the faithful not to worry, for God responds with the words of the Prophet Isaiah: "though your sins should be like scarlet, they will become white as snow."
Pope Francis insisted that refusing evil is not enough, but we must learn to do good with a child-like attitude. He said, "Along the path of life, of the Christian life...You have to learn every day to do something, to be better than the day before," and good must be practiced through concrete actions and not just words.
The Pope pointed to the examples of Jesus in the Gospel: to "relieve the oppressed, give orphans justice, defend the cause of the widow." He also spoke on the "ruling class of the people of Israel," rebuked by Christ "because 'they talk and don't act,' they don't know concreteness."
This Lenten conversion is difficult and doesn't occur over night, Pope Francis said, but added that the Lord walks "with us to help us, to explain things to us, to take us by the hand" and heal our iniquities.
"And this is the path of Lenten conversion. Simple. It is the Father who speaks, it is the Father who loves us, who really loves us. And who accompanies us on this path of conversion."
Subscribe to our daily newsletter
At Catholic News Agency, our team is committed to reporting the truth with courage, integrity, and fidelity to our faith. We provide news about the Church and the world, as seen through the teachings of the Catholic Church. When you subscribe to the CNA UPDATE, we'll send you a daily email with links to the news you need and, occasionally, breaking news.
As part of this free service you may receive occasional offers from us at EWTN News and EWTN. We won't rent or sell your information, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Click hereOur mission is the truth. Join us!
Your monthly donation will help our team continue reporting the truth, with fairness, integrity, and fidelity to Jesus Christ and his Church.
Donate to CNA