LENT - Friday after Ash Wednesday -- During Mass at Casa Santa Marta, Pope Francis warns against 'fake fasting' during Lent

Pope Francis has reminded the faithful to give up something for Lent only if it demonstrates compassion and enriches others.
http://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope-francis/mass-casa-santa-marta.html

By Linda Bordoni

Pope Francis'  words of warning against what he called “fake fasting” came during the homily on Friday at morning Mass in the Casa Santa Marta.

When fasting, Pope Francis said, a true Christian must be consistent, not putting himself on show, never despising others or engaging in quarrels or disagreements.

Warning against behavior that is inconsistent with the Lenten spirit, the Pope invited those present to ask themselves how they interact with others.

He reflected on the First Reading of the day that highlights how the fasting that is acceptable to the Lord aims to “release those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke”.

Don’t pretend to be virtuous

Pope Francis reminded believers that fasting is one of the tasks of Lent, and said that even “if you cannot commit to a total fast, the kind that makes you feels hunger in your bones” you can still fast humbly and consistently.

Isaiah, he said, highlights so many inconsistencies in the practice of virtue, like “carrying out your own pursuits, driving all your labourers, and yes, your fast ends in quarreling and fighting”,

Fasting, the Pope said, is a little like “stripping oneself” of pride. He said that to thank the Lord and at the same time despise your labourers that are forced to fast because they do not have enough to eat is inconsistent and unchristian.

Inviting those present to perform penance in peace, he said “you cannot talk to God on the one hand and to the devil on the other”.

He also warned against the temptation of ‘showing off’ by fasting: “by making a fuss of it and letting people know that we are practicing Catholics and we do penance, so that people think ‘what a good person’. This is a trick” he said: “It’s pretending to be virtuous”.

Fasting with a smile

“We must pretend, Francis continued, but with a smile. That is not showing others that we are performing acts of penance.”

He invited the faithful to fast in order “to help others. But always with a smile”.

Fasting, he said, also involves lowering oneself by reflecting on one’s sins and asking forgiveness from the Lord.

How ashamed would I be, he continued, if my sin was to become common knowledge through the press? And referring again to the Scripture Reading of the day he invited Christians to “release unjust bounds.”

“I think of so many maids who work for their bread and they are humiliated and despised ... I have never been able to forget the time I went to a friend's house as a child and I witnessed the mother slapping the 81-year-old maid…”

Reiterating that he has never forgotten that shameful episode, Pope Francis urged the faithful to ask themselves whether they treat their domestic workers with fairness, whether they treat them “as people or as slaves”, whether they are paid a just salary and have the right to holidays and are recognized in their human dignity.

Fasting with consistency

Pope Francis went on to tell another story stemming from personal experience. He said that once, when speaking to a very cultured gentleman who was known to exploit his domestic workers, he explained to him that this is a serious sin because we are all created in the image of God.

And referring again to the First Reading that tells us “to share our bread with the hungry, shelter the oppressed and the homeless, clothe the naked when we see them, not turn our back on our own”, the Pope noted that currently there is much discussion around whether or not to give shelter to those who ask for it.

He exhorted Christians to “do penance”, to “feel a little hunger”, to “pray more during Lent” and to ask themselves how they behave towards the other:

“Does my fast help others? If it does not it's fake, it's inconsistent and it takes you on the path to a double life, pretending to be a just Christian - like the Pharisees or the Sadducees” he said.

Let us ask for the grace of consistency he concluded:” if I am unable to do something, I will not do it. I will do only what I can with the consistency of a true Christian.

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POPE FRANCIS HOLDS MASS IN CASA SANTA MARTA FOR PERSECUTED CHRISTIANS

 

 

 Pope and Patriarch, Together at Santa Marta Mass

 

 

 

 

 

L'abbraccio tra il Papa e il Patriarca Youssef, ricordando la sofferenza del popolo del Medioriente
Una Messa che ha manifestato la comunione tra Pietro e la Chiesa greco melkita cattolica, quella celebrata oggi a Casa Santa Marta da Francesco insieme al Patriarca di Antiochia, Youssef e ai vescovi greco melkiti cattolici a Roma al termine del Sinodo tenuto in Libano all’inizio di febbraio.

Papa Francesco Messa Santa Marta 2018-02-13





Pope Francis says Mass with Melkite Greek Patriarch

http://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope-francis/mass-casa-santa-marta/2018-02/pope-francis-says-mass-with-melkite-greek-patriarch-.html

At Mass on Tuesday morning in the Casa Santa Marta, Pope Francis concelebrates with the Melkite Greek Patriarch of Antioch, calling it a sign of the Apostolic Communion between the Latin- and Eastern-rite Churches within the universal Church.

By Devin Watkins
Pope Francis concelebrated Mass on Tuesday morning with the Melkite Greek Catholic Patriarch of Antioch, Youssef Absi.
Instead of delivering a homily, Pope Francis said a few words about the meaning of the day’s celebration, at which members of the Melkite Greek Synod participated.
“This Mass with our brother, Patriarch Youssef,” the Pope said, “confirms our Apostolic Communion: He is the father of a very ancient Church, and he comes to embrace Peter and to say ‘I am in communion with Peter.’” The Holy Father said this was the meaning of the Eucharistic celebration.

‘Suffering Church’

He said the Melkite Greek Church is “a rich Church with its own theology within Catholic theology and with its own marvelous liturgy”.
The Pope said “at this moment a large part of the [Melkite] people is crucified, like Jesus.”
He said the Mass was being celebrated for the people of the Melkite Greek Church, “for the people who suffer, and for persecuted Christians in the Middle East, who give up their lives, goods, and property because they are driven out.” Pope Francis said he also offered the Mass for the ministry of “our brother Youssef”.

Patriarch: ‘Mass of communion’

Following the Mass, Patriarch Youssef thanked the Pope for “this beautiful Mass of communion”. He said, “Personally, I am truly moved by your fraternal charity and the solidarity you have shown to our Church.”
Patriarch Youssef promised to keep Pope Francis in his heart and prayers. “I cannot describe the beauty,” the Patriarch said, of “this communion, which unites all the disciples of Christ.”

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and from Aleteia ... 


On Saturday evening of February 24, Rome’s Colosseum to be lit red in solidarity with persecuted Christians
https://aleteia.org/2018/02/09/romes-colosseum-to-be-lit-red-in-solidarity-with-persecuted-christians/












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Pope Francis calls for a special Day of Prayer and Fasting for Peace on the Friday of the First Week of Lent - this year February 23, 2018

Pope Francis invites all the faithful to take part in a special Day of Prayer and Fasting for PEACE - on February 23rd, 2018, the Friday of the First Week of Lent.

Pope in Angelus: Victories won through violence are false victories - Published on Feb 5, 2018






IL-PAPA FRANĠISKU ANGELUS Pjazza San Pietru Il-Ħadd, 4 ta’ Frar 2018






Pope Francis fights corruption with invisible ministry - Published on Feb 5, 2018

 

Ignoring the corruption around us doesn’t do any good. If we want to end corruption and stop it from doing so much damage in our world, we have to stare it down and speak clearly, just as Pope Francis is.

Say “No” to Corruption – February 2018 - The Pope Video - Published on 1 Feb 2018





Pope calls for Day of Prayer and Fasting for Peace on 23 February
http://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2018-02/pope-angelus-appeal-prayer-fasting-peace-drc-south-sudan.html
Listen to report


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and from Aleteia ... 
On Saturday evening of February 24, Rome’s Colosseum to be lit red in solidarity with persecuted Christians
https://aleteia.org/2018/02/09/romes-colosseum-to-be-lit-red-in-solidarity-with-persecuted-christians/

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"THERE IS NO HUMILITY WITHOUT HUMILIATION" Pope Francis says

Monday of the Fourth week in Ordinary Time (cycle II)

Readings: http://dailygospel.org/main.php?language=AM&module=readings&localdate=20180129

http://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope-francis/mass-casa-santa-marta/2018-01/pope-homily-santa-marta0.html

Pope Francis addressed the faithful gathered in the Casa Santa Marta for morning Mass on Monday and reflected on the First Reading of the Day.

By Linda Bordoni

Pope Francis told believers that there is no true humility without humiliation.

The Pope was speaking during morning Mass at the Casa Santa Marta on Monday as he reflected on the first liturgical reading of the day which speaks of the humiliation of King David.

Pope Francis said David was indeed a great man: he had overcome Goliath, he had “a noble soul” because twice he could have killed Saul but he had not done so. But David, he continued, was also a sinner: he had committed the serious sins of adultery and had arranged the murder of Uriah, Bathsheba’s husband.

“And yet, Francis noted, the Church venerates him as a saint" because he let himself be transformed by the Lord, he “accepted” forgiveness, he repented and recognized himself as a sinner.

David is humiliated
 

The First Reading, the Pope said, focuses on the humiliation of David: his son Absalom revolts against him but at that moment David does not think of “saving his own skin” but of saving his people, the Temple and the Ark of the Covenant.

He flees, he explained, and his gesture that appears cowardly is really a courageous one: “he wept without ceasing, his head was covered, and he was walking barefoot”.

David lets himself be insulted
 

Pope Francis noted that the great David is humiliated not only by defeat and by flight, but also by insult. In fact, during his escape, a man named Shimei “cursed and threw stones at David” telling him that the Lord had requited him and put the kingdom in the hands of his son Absalom.

Shimei, the Pope continued, tells David that he is now suffering ruin “because he is a murderer" and David lets him continue to curse and insult him saying: “Perhaps the Lord will look upon my affliction and make it up to me with benefits for the curses he is uttering this day."

“Ready-to-wear” humility is not salvific
 

Pope Francis noted that David’s ascent up the Mount of Olives is prophetic of Jesus’ climb up the hill of Calvary to give life: he too was insulted and discarded. This he explained refers precisely to the humility of Jesus:

“Sometimes we think that humility is to go quietly, perhaps head-down looking at the floor… but even pigs walk with their heads down: this is not humility. This is that fake, ready-to-wear humility, which neither saves nor guards the heart. We have to be aware that there is no true humility without humiliation, and if you are not able to tolerate, to carry humiliation on your shoulders, you are not truly humble: you pretend you are, but you are not”.

Turning humiliation into hope
 

The Pope pointed out that both David and Jesus burden themselves with sins and said: “David is a saint, and Jesus, with the sanctity of God, is really a saint” and they are both humiliated.

“There is always the temptation to counter slander and oppose anything that humiliates us or makes us feel ashamed - like Shimei. But David says “No”; the Lord says “No”, that is not the right path. The path is the one taken by Jesus and prophesied by David: bearing humiliation. ‘Perhaps the Lord will look upon my affliction and make it up to me with benefits for the curses he is uttering this day’: turning humiliation into hope.

There is no humility without humiliation
 

Pope Francis concluded warning that humility is not justifying oneself immediately in the face of an offense and trying to look good: “if you are unable to bear humiliation, you are not humble” he warned: “this is the golden rule”.

“Let us ask the Lord for the grace of humility, with humiliations. There was a nun who used to say: ‘yes, I am humble, but never humiliated!’ No, no! There is no humility without humiliation. We are asking for this grace. And if someone is brave – just as as St. Ignatius teaches us - he can even ask the Lord to send humiliations so he can be more like the Lord”.

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L'umiltà non è andare a testa bassa, quella prêt-à-porter, che non salva. La strada è quella di portare le umiliazioni come il re Davide, la cui figura è al centro dell'omelia del Papa a Casa Santa Marta

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In humility, even humiliation, human nature's transformation by living closely to The Divinity.

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