In his homily at Casa Santa Marta, Pope Francis criticized people who turn sacred sites into places of commerce.
POPE FRANCIS
“How many times we sadly enter a temple, a parish, a bishop's house and so on, and not knowing whether we are in the house of God or a supermarket. There, we have business, including the price list for the sacraments – nothing is free! God has saved us freely. He didn't make us pay anything.”
The pope invited Christians to monitor “their internal temple,” and to pay attention to what occurs there, instead of focusing on the superficial and material things on the outside.
EXCERPTS FROM THE POPE'S HOMILY
(Source: Vatican Radio)
“Have I learned to keep watch inside of me, so the temple in my heart is only for the Holy Spirit?Purifying the temple, the interior temple and keeping watch. Be attentive. What occurs in your heart? Who comes, who goes? What are your feelings, your ideas? Do you talk to the Holy Spirit? Do you listen to the Holy Spirit? Keep watch. Pay attention to what goes on in our temple, inside of us.”
“I ask myself, 'Do I know how to take care of that temple? Do I take care of the temple with my service? Do I go to those in need to help, to clothe, to console them?' St. John Chrysostom reprimanded those who were making many offerings to decorate the church but were not caring for the needy. He said, 'This is not good. First service, then decoration.'”
“How many times we sadly enter a temple, a parish, a bishop's house and so on, and not knowing whether we are in the house of God or a supermarket. There, we have business, including the price list for the sacraments – nothing is free! God has saved us freely. He didn't make us pay anything.”
