During his Friday morning Mass, Pope Francis talked about the importance of memory in Christian life. He said that Christians without memory can become lukewarm.
POPE FRANCIS
'Memory is very important: it helps us remember all the grace we have received. If we loose the enthusiasm which comes from the memory of that first love, this enthusiasm coming from that first love, then a huge danger arrives for Christians: becoming lukewarm. Lukewarm Christians. Theyâ??re there, immobile and yes, theyâ??re Christians, but theyâ??ve lost the memory of that first love. And theyâ??ve also lost their enthusiasm.â?
The Pope concluded that lukewarm Christians don't have the spirit of Christ and so they can't cope with the challenges of life.
EXCEPRT OF THE POPE'S HOMILY
(Source: Vatican Radio)
'Our memory is so important for recalling the grace received because if we chase away that enthusiasm which comes from the memory of that first love, this enthusiasm coming from that first love, then a huge danger arrives for Christians: a lukewarm (faith). Lukewarm Christians. Theyâ??re there, immobile and yes, theyâ??re Christians, but theyâ??ve lost the memory of that first love. And theyâ??ve also lost their enthusiasm. In addition, theyâ??ve lost their patience, to tolerate lifeâ??s problems with the spirit of Jesusâ?? love, to tolerate, and to bear on their shoulders the difficultiesâ?¦. Lukewarm Christians, poor things, theyâ??re in grave danger.â?
'A Christian has these two parameters, memory and hope. We must evoke our memory so as not to lose the beautiful experience of that first love which feeds our hope. Many times that hope is in darkness but (a Christian) still goes ahead. He or she believes and goes forward because they know that hope never disappoints us, in finding Jesus. These two parameters are the very frames within which we can safeguard the salvation of the good people which comes from the Lord.â?
'Itâ??s painful and heart-breaking to see so many Christians - so many Christians! â?? half-way along the road, so many Christians whoâ??ve failed along this road towards a meeting with Jesus, going away from this encounter with Jesus. This road where theyâ??ve lost the memory of that first love and no longer have any hope.â?
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