Pope Francis: Bring the Gospel into the world without becoming worldly

 

Pope Francis greets pilgrims at his general audience in Paul VI Hall on Feb. 15, 2023. / Vatican Media. See CNA article for full slideshow. 

Vatican City, Feb 15, 2023 / 06:10 am (CNA).

Pope Francis said Wednesday that Christians are called to bring the Gospel into the world without becoming worldly.

“For the Church, falling into worldliness is the worst thing that can happen,” the pope said.

Speaking in his general audience in Paul VI Hall on Feb. 15, Pope Francis reflected on Jesus’ words to his disciples: “Behold, I am sending you like sheep among wolves” (Mt. 10:16).

Pope Francis greets pilgrims at his general audience on Feb. 15, 2023. Vatican Media
Pope Francis greets pilgrims at his general audience on Feb. 15, 2023. Vatican Media

Many Christians will be tempted to think “let us become relevant, numerous, prestigious, and the world will listen to us and respect us and we will defeat the wolves,” the pope said, but instead, the Lord asks us to “be humble.”

“He asks us to be like this, to be meek and with the will to be innocent, to be disposed to sacrifice. This is what the lamb represents: meekness, innocence, dedication, tenderness. And He, the Shepherd, will recognize His lambs and protect them from the wolves,” Francis said.

A religious sister reads a translation of the pope's message at his general audience on Feb. 15, 2023. Daniel Ibanez/CNA
A religious sister reads a translation of the pope’s message at his general audience on Feb. 15, 2023. Daniel Ibanez/CNA

Pope Francis quoted a homily by St. John Chrysostom in which the late fourth-century Church Father wrote: “As long as we are lambs, we will conquer, and even if we are surrounded by many wolves, we will overcome them.”

“But if we become wolves … we will be defeated because we will be deprived of the shepherd’s help. He does not shepherd wolves, but lambs.”

The pope also noted that it is striking that Jesus told his disciples “what not to bring” rather than what to bring on a mission: “Do not take gold or silver or copper for your belts; no sack for the journey, or a second tunic, or sandals, or walking stick” (Mt. 10:9-10).

“The Lord makes you lighten your load. … He says not to lean on material certainties, but to go into the world without worldliness. That is to say, I am going into the world, not with the style of the world, not with the world’s values, not with worldliness,” Francis said.

The live-streamed address was the fourth in Pope Francis’ cycle of catechesis on “the passion for evangelization.”

Pope Francis said that the Church is “completely missionary and in the mission it finds its unity.”

“So, go forth, meek and good as lambs, without worldliness, and going together,” he said.

At the end of the audience, Pope Francis asked Catholics not to forget to pray for the people of Ukraine that “their cruel suffering” may soon be over.

Pope Francis greets a youth orchestra who performed at the general audience on Feb. 15, 2023. Daniel Ibanez/CNA
Pope Francis greets a youth orchestra who performed at the general audience on Feb. 15, 2023. Daniel Ibanez/CNA

He also thanked musicians from a youth orchestra who performed at the general audience and greeted pilgrims who traveled from England, Vietnam, France, Portugal, Italy, the United States, and other countries.

“Inspired by Saints Cyril and Methodius, apostles of the Slavs and co-patrons of Europe, whose liturgical feast we celebrated yesterday, I invite you to witness daily to the Gospel, spreading around you the fragrance of Christ’s charity, which wins hearts over for the good,” he said.


If you value the news and views Catholic World Report provides, please consider donating to support our efforts. Your contribution will help us continue to make CWR available to all readers worldwide for free, without a subscription. Thank you for your generosity!

Click here for more information on donating to CWR. Click here to sign up for our newsletter.


About Catholic News Agency 12498 Articles
Catholic News Agency (www.catholicnewsagency.com)

1 Comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

All comments posted at Catholic World Report are moderated. While vigorous debate is welcome and encouraged, please note that in the interest of maintaining a civilized and helpful level of discussion, comments containing obscene language or personal attacks—or those that are deemed by the editors to be needlessly combative or inflammatory—will not be published. Thank you.


*