Pope Francis has said that sinner could almost be all of our first name, but that if we feel shame and return to God, He waits to embrace us.
According to Vatican Radio, he did so today, Oct. 5, 2017, during his daily morning Mass in his residence Casa Santa Marta, as he reflected on today’s reading from the Prophet Baruch who said, ”Justice is with the Lord, our God; and we today are flushed with shame.
While focusing on man’s sinfulness and need to repent, the Pope stated: “No one can say, ‘I’m right’ or ‘I’m not like him or her.’ I’m a sinner, I’d say it’s almost the first name we all have: sinners.”
All people, the Jesuit highlighted, are sinners because God has asked to do one thing and we have done the contrary.
Sin, Francis explained, is “a rebellion, an obstinacy that consists in giving into the perverse inclinations of our heart in small idolatries of every day,” which he said include slander, envy, and cupidity.
When one sins, the Pope noted, one’s heart, life and soul are weakened and become ill.
“It is not like a stain that one gets rid of at the dry cleaner’s,” he said, but rather “an ugly rebellion against God Who is all good.”
However, after sin, if one experiences shame, Francis said, this is a gift from God, as shame “opens the door to healing.”
The Holy Father invited all to feel ashamed before the Lord for our sins and ask for healing.
Pope Francis concluded, saying, “When the almighty Lord sees us ashamed of what we have done, and we humbly ask pardon, He embraces and forgives us.”
All people, the Jesuit highlighted, are sinners because God has asked to do one thing and we have done the contrary.
Sin, Francis explained, is “a rebellion, an obstinacy that consists in giving into the perverse inclinations of our heart in small idolatries of every day,” which he said include slander, envy, and cupidity.
When one sins, the Pope noted, one’s heart, life and soul are weakened and become ill.
“It is not like a stain that one gets rid of at the dry cleaner’s,” he said, but rather “an ugly rebellion against God Who is all good.”
However, after sin, if one experiences shame, Francis said, this is a gift from God, as shame “opens the door to healing.”
The Holy Father invited all to feel ashamed before the Lord for our sins and ask for healing.
Pope Francis concluded, saying, “When the almighty Lord sees us ashamed of what we have done, and we humbly ask pardon, He embraces and forgives us.”
