A Christian can not be sad. The Pope reflected on his morning Mass at Casa Santa Marta on the scene of the rich young man who narrates the Gospel. He was not capable of being a disciple of Jesus because he was not able to open his heart to joy and chose sadness over his many possessions.
The evangelist account that was sad.
POPE FRANCIS
'He was shackled to his belongings! Jesus told us that one cannot serve two masters: either one must serve God or serve riches. Riches are not bad in themselves, but slavery to wealth â?? this, is wickedness. The poor young man went away sad ... 'He frowned and he went away sorrowful'. When in our parishes, in our communities, in our institutions we find people who say they are Christians and want to be Christian but are sad, something is wrong there.â?
Pope Francis said that the joy of a Christian should be supported in Christ because He will help bring hope and serenity to life's harsh realities and suffrage.
EXCERPTS FROM PAPAL HOMILY
(Source: Vatican Radio)
'A Christian is a man, or a woman, of joy: a man and a woman with joy in their heart. There is no Christian without joy!â? You may be told that there are many such Christians, the Pope warned, but 'they are not Christians! They say they are, but they are not! They are missing something. The Christian identity card is joy, the Gospelâ??s joy, the joy of having been chosen by Jesus, saved by Jesus, regenerated by Jesus; the joy of that hope that Jesus is waiting for us, the joy that - even with the crosses and sufferings we bear in this life - is expressed in another way, which is peace in the certainty that Jesus accompanies us, is with us. '
'He was shackled to his belongings! Jesus told us that one cannot serve two masters: either one must serve God or serve riches. Riches are not bad in themselves, but slavery to wealth â?? this, is wickedness. The poor young man went away sad ... 'He frowned and he went away sorrowful'. When in our parishes, in our communities, in our institutions we find people who say they are Christians and want to be Christian but are sad, something is wrong there. And we must help them to find Jesus, to take away that sadness, so that they may rejoice in the gospel, can have this joy which is truly of the Gospel.â?
'Concluding, Pope Francis prayed that the Lord 'graces us with amazement in his presence, in the presence of the many spiritual treasures he has given us; and with this amazement, may he give us joy, the joy of our lives - and of having our hearts at peace even when faced with many difficulties. And may he protect us from seeking happiness in so many things that ultimately sadden us: they promise much, but they will not give us anything! Remember well: a Christian is a man, and a woman, of joy, joy in the Lord; a man and a woman of wonder.â?
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