Words of the Holy Father- Authority arises from a good example-10-16-24

 Words of the Holy Father- Authority arises from a good example-10-16-24

Brothers and sisters, a frequent flaw of those in authority, whether civil or ecclesiastic authority, is that of demanding of others things — even 

righteous things — that they do not, however, put into practise in the first person. They live a double life. Jesus says: “They bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with their finger (v. 4). This attitude sets a bad example of authority, which should instead derive its primary strength precisely from setting a good example. Authority arises from a good example, so as to help others to practise what is right and proper, sustaining them in the trials that they meet on the right path. Authority is a help, but if it is wrongly exercised, it becomes oppressive; it does not allow people to grow, and creates a climate of distrust and hostility, and also leads to corruption. (…) May the Virgin Mary, “humble and exalted more than any creature” (Dante,  Paradiso, xxxiii:2), help us, with her motherly intercession, to spurn pride and vanity, and to be meek and docile to the love that comes from God, for the service of our brothers and sisters and for their joy, which will also be our own. (Angelus, 5 November 2017)

Wednesday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel and Thought for the Day - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day.html 

Gospel in Art: Alas for you Pharisees who like taking the seats of honour https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/50868 

Words of the Holy Father-ask for grace of proceed “quietly, doing good”, and doing so “freely 10-15-24

 Words of the Holy Father-ask for grace of proceed “quietly, doing good”, and doing so “freely 10-15-24

Words of the Holy Father

People who follow the religion of makeup: the appearance, to appear, pretending to seem a certain way “while inside...”. The  “very powerful image” that Jesus evokes: “‘You are whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanliness’”. (…) Let us ask the Lord that we never tire of going down that path; that we never tire of rejecting this religion of appearances, this religion of seeming, of pretending.... We must instead be committed to proceed “quietly, doing good”, and doing so “freely as we have freely received our interior freedom”. Let us ask for this grace. (Santa Marta, 11 October 2016)

Memorial of Saint Teresa of Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church

Gospel and Thought for the Day - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day.html 

Gospel in Art:  Feast of Saint Teresa of Avila https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/50860

Words of the Holy Father-works without merciful love mean nothing. The Jonah Syndrome-10-14-24

 Words of the Holy Father-works without merciful love mean nothing. The Jonah Syndrome-10-14-24

Jonah was in the belly of the whale for three days and three nights. This refers to Jesus in the tomb, to his death and resurrection. This is the sign that Jesus promises: against hypocrisy, against the attitude of perfect religiosity, against the attitude of the Pharisees. The sign which Jesus promises, is his forgiveness, through his death and resurrection. Therefore, the true sign of Jonah is the one that gives us confidence in being saved by the blood of Christ. There are many Christians who think they are saved on the basis of what they do, on the basis of their works. Works are necessary, but they are a consequence, a response to the merciful love that saves us. These works without merciful love mean nothing. The “Jonah Syndrome” is work without this love. We should take advantage of today’s liturgy to ask ourselves and make a choice. (Santa Marta, 14 October 2013)

Monday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel and Thought for the Day - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day.htm

Gospel in Art: Memorial of Saint Callistus https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/50852

Words of the Holy Father-Eternal life-10-13-24

 Words of the Holy Father-Eternal life-10-13-24

 “What must I do to inherit eternal life”, in other words, happiness (v. 17). “Eternal life” is not only the afterlife, but is a full life, fulfilled, without limitations. What must we do to achieve it? Jesus’ answer restates the commandments that refer to loving one’s neighbours. In this regard the young man has nothing to reproach; but clearly, observing the precepts is not enough. It does not satisfy his desire for fulfillment. (…) Only by accepting with humble gratitude the love of the Lord do we free ourselves from the seduction of idols and the blindness of our illusions. Money, pleasure, success dazzle but then disappoint: they promise life but procure death. The Lord asks us to detach ourselves from these false riches in order to enter into true life, the full, authentic, luminous life. (Angelus, 11 October 2015)

Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel and Thought for the Day - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day.html 

Gospel in Art: It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle... https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/50844 

Last Stage of The Synod on Synodality

 Last Stage of The Synod on Synodality https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/50854

Words of the Holy Father-The merit of faith is receiving Jesus-10-12-24

 Words of the Holy Father-The merit of faith is receiving Jesus-10-12-24

In the passage we heard, Paul says that the Law was like a pedagogue. (…) In the school system of antiquity, the pedagogue did not have the function we attribute to him today, namely that of supporting the education of a boy or a girl. At the time he was instead a slave whose task was to accompany the master’s son to the teacher and then bring him home again. He was thus to protect him from danger and watch over him to ensure he did not behave badly. His function was rather disciplinary. When the boy became an adult, the pedagogue ceased his duties. (…) Referring to the Law in these terms enables Saint Paul to clarify the role it played in the history of Israel. The Torah, that is, the Law, was an act of magnanimity by God towards his people. After the election of Abraham, the other great act was the Law: laying down the path to follow. It certainly had restrictive functions, but at the same time it had protected the people, it had educated them, disciplined them and supported them in their weakness… (…) What does this mean? That after the Law we can say, “We believe in Jesus Christ and do what we want”? No! The Commandments exist, but they do not justify us. What justifies is Jesus Christ. The Commandments must be observed, but they do not give us justice; there is the gratuitousness of Jesus Christ, the encounter with Jesus Christ that freely justifies us. The merit of faith is receiving Jesus. The only merit: opening the heart. So what do we do with the Commandments? We must observe them, but as an aid to the encounter with Jesus Christ.

This teaching on the value of the law is very important, and deserves to be considered carefully so as not to fall into misunderstandings and take false steps. (General audience, 18 August 2021)

Saturday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel and Thought for the Day - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day.html 

Gospel in Art: Happy the womb that bore you and the breasts you sucked https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/50838

Pope opens Synod General Assembly with Mass in St Peter’s Square - Vatican News

 Pope opens Synod General Assembly with Mass in St Peter’s Square - Vatican News https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-10/pope-opens-synod-general-assembly-with-mass-in-st-peter-s-square.html