In his morning homily at Casa Santa Marta, the pope recalled the example of the first Christians who followed a special method of evangelization: they were obedient to the Holy Spirit's instructions.
POPE FRANCIS
'Mother Church, which gives so many children to the light with this method, we would say â?? let us use the word â?? this method which is not proselytistic: it is the method of the witness to obedience.'
The pope said that, in addition to obedience to the Holy Spirit, the best example that Christians can give is to remain cheerful despite difficulties.
EXCERPTS OF PAPAL HOMILY
(Source: Vatican Radio)
'But in order to evangelize: â??Get up and go!â?? One doesnâ??t say: â??Stay seated, calm, in your houseâ??: No! In order to be faithful to the Lord, the Church should always be on its feet and on the journey: â??Get up and go.â?? A Church that does not rise up, that is not on the journey, is sick.â?
'All men, all women have a restlessness in their hearts â?? [they may be] good or bad, but there is a restlessness. Listen to that restlessness. Itâ??s not saying: â??Go out and proselytise.â?? No, no! â??Go and listen.â?? Listening is the second step. The first: â??Get up and goâ??; the second: â??Listen.â?? That ability to listen: What do people feel? What does the heart of the people feel? What does it think? But do they think mistaken things? But I want to hear these mistaken things, in order to understand where the restlessness is. We all have this restlessness within. The second step for the Church is to find the restlessness of the people.â?
'Mother Church, which gives so many children to the light with this method, we would say â?? let us use the word â?? this method which is not proselytistic: it is the method of the witness to obedience. The Church, which tells us today: â??Rejoice.â?? To rejoice; joy. The joy of being Christian, even in ugly moments. Because after the stoning of Stephen a great persecution arose, and the Christians scattered everywhere, like seed carried on the wind. And it fell to them to preach the Word of Jesus. May the Lord give to all of us the grace to live the Church in this way: on our feet and going out, listening to the restlessness of the people, and always in joy.â?
JC / JRB
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