Do not be among the ‘mafiosi,’ nor the ‘lukewarm,’ for God calls all His baptized to be ‘children of light.’
According to Vatican Radio, the Pontiff highlighted this during his daily morning Mass today, as he drew inspiration from today’s Gospel according to St Luke.
Francis discussed the many ways in which we hide the light of faith, especially «through jealousy and arguments, by plotting evil against our neighbours or simply by putting off until tomorrow the good that we should do today.»
Lukewarm christians
On the day of our Baptism, the Holy Father reminded those present, each of us receives from God the light of faith. While recalling that Baptism was called ‘Illumination’ in the first centuries of Christianity, the Jesuit Pope pointed out that in some Eastern Churches today, the term is still used.
But just as Jesus warned the crowds not to conceal the light, so the Pope said if we hide that light we become lukewarm Christians. Francis discussed the many ways in which we risk putting out that light, starting with delaying the help that we’re called to give to our neighbors in need.
The Pope reiterated Jesus’ words, urging his listeners to be ‘children of light’ and to take care of the light, rather than «hiding it under a bed.»
Don’t ‘Put Off’
«Never put off doing good until tomorrow,» the Pope said, «because it’s a form of injustice and you can’t put ‘good’ in the fridge.»
Pope Francis went on to warn about those who plot evil against their neighbours instead of responding to the trust placed in them.
«Anyone who conspires against a neighbour and takes advantage of that trust is a ‘Mafioso,'» he underscored, saying the «darkness of every mafia puts out the light of faith.»
Francis also commented on the human inclination to argue, even with those who haven’t done any wrong to us. «Arguments wear us out,» he said, «so it’s better to pardon and to let these things go.»
Pope Francis also warned against envying those who are powerful, successful or violent «because God spurns them and calls the righteous to be His friends.»
Same corpse devouring worms
«To be jealous of power and wealth is another way of hiding the light,» Francis said, adding, «yet the same worms who devour our corpses will eat the bodies of the rich and powerful too.»
«May the Holy Spirit which we received at Baptism,» he concluded, «help us to avoid these bad habits which hide the light and let us instead nurture the light of friendship and humility, the light of faith and hope, the light of patience and goodness.»
