The pope explained in Casa Santa Marta that remorse is like an open wound that hurts after one has done something wrong. He advised everyone to have the courage to look inward and ask for the grace for “our conscience to accuse us.”
POPE FRANCIS
'Do not be afraid of remorse by your conscience: it is a symptom of salvation. Be afraid to cover it, to conceal it, to dissimulate it, to hide it, this yes. But be clear, and in this way the Lord heals us.'
The pope explained that the key is not to be afraid to seek the truth about our life. He recommended confessing one's sins so that God's forgiveness can cure the wound of remorse.
EXCERPTS OF PAPAL HOMILY
“It is an open wound, which, when we have done something wrong in our life, pains us. But it is a hidden wound, unseen even by me, because I get used to carrying it around and anesthetizing it. It is there and some touch it, but it remains within. When it hurts, we feel remorse. I am not only aware of having done evil, but I also feel it in my body, in my soul, and in my life. And so I feel the temptation to cover it and not feel it anymore.”
“We must, if I may say so, ‘baptize’ this open wound, that is, give it a name… And if you ask, ‘Father, how can I remove it?’ First of all, pray: ‘Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ And then examine your life… And ask someone to help you to identify the wound and to give it a name, saying ‘I feel remorse because I did this concrete act.’ This is true humility before God.”
“We must learn the science and wisdom of accusing ourselves… I accuse myself, feel the pain caused by the wound, learn where it has come from, and then indict myself regarding it. Do not be afraid of remorse, for it is a sign of salvation.”
