Even though Pope Francis delivers a Homily nearly every day at Casa Santa Marta, his words don't lose their power. While they may seem improvised, the remarks actually come from deep meditation.
They also provide clues into the Pope's current thinking and plans. Here are some of his most powerful lines at Casa Santa Marta.
1. WHY DO GOOD THINGS HAPPEN TO BAD PEOPLE?
The Pope often answers some of the most difficult, and common, questions that Catholics ask themselves. For example, why do good things happen to bad people?
POPE FRANCIS
October 10, 2015
'Now we do not see the fruits of this suffering people, this people carrying the cross, as on that Good Friday and Holy Saturday the fruits of the crucified Son of God, the fruits of His sufferings were yet to be seen: and whatever He does, turns out well; and what the Psalm says the wicked, of those for whom we think everything is going fine? â??Not so the wicked, not so; they are like chaff which the wind drives away.â?
2. WHAT HAPPENS TO CHRISTIANS WHO GIVE A BAD EXAMPLE?
Some Christians drive people away from the Church with their attitude and behavior. The Pope had tough words for them.
POPE FRANCIS
May 28, 2015
'They are Christians in name, parlor room Christians, Christians at receptions, but their interior life is not Christian, it is worldly.â?
3. THE THREE STEPS TO UNDERSTANDING GOD'S WILL
Another one of the Pope's most powerful messages was when he described three steps to understanding God's will. Prayer is key.
POPE FRANCIS
January 27, 2015
'Prayer to follow the will of God and prayer to understand God's will. Then thirdly, when we recognize God's will, we must pray, to carry it out.â?
4. REJECTING 'MECHANICâ? CONFESSION
Pope Francis warned those who are accustomed to Confession that they must never forget what is most important about the sacrament: It's an encounter with God.
POPE FRANCIS
January 23, 2015
'Confessions often seem like a procedure, a formality.... And that's that. Everything is mechanical. No! Whereâ??s the encounter in all of this?â?
5. LETTING GOD SURPRISE US
The Holy Spirit is also a recurring theme in the Pope's homilies. He said that it encourages change and renovation.
POPE FRANCIS
April 24, 2015
'Without prayer, there is no place for the Holy Spirit. Ask God to send us this gift: â??Lord, give us the Holy Spirit so that we may discern at all times what we have to do.' This is not always one and the same thing. The message is the same: The Church moves forward, the Church goes ahead with these surprises and with the changes of the Holy Spirit.â?
This list isn't long enough to include all of the Pope's wisdom. He regularly speaks about forgiveness and why there is no room for selfish individualism in the Church.
JRB/ATO
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