Love or selfishness, victory or defeat. Those are choices the Christian must make. But in Sicily, observing the 25th anniversary of the mob murder of Blessed Father Pino Puglisi, the Pope’s September 15, 2018, remarks during his homily were more precise:
“You cannot believe in God and be a member of the mafia. Those belonging to the mafia are not living as Christians, because with their life they blaspheme the name of God who is love.”
The Holy Father pointed to the example of Fr. Puglisi, who was not afraid to speak the truth. His faith showed that victory “is born from the scandal of martyrdom.”
“What brings defeat is love of one’s own life, to love one’s own life,” Francis said. “Those who live for themselves lose.”
«Money and power do not liberate the human person, but make us slaves. Those who live for themselves do not just lose something, but their entire life; while those who give themselves find meaning in life and conquer.”
