In his homily at Casa Santa Marta, Pope Francis spoke about remembering personal encounters with Christ. He recommended recalling when Jesus transformed the heart or showed one their life's vocation.
POPE FRANCIS
“Christian memory is like the salt of life. Without memory we cannot go on. When we encounter ‘forgetful’ Christians, we can immediately see that they have lost the flavor of Christian life and have become people who obey the Commandments without spirituality.”
Pope Francis also asked Christians to recall those who helped shape them in the faith, because they are a multitude of witnesses who can offer strength.
EXCERPTS OF PAPAL HOMILY
“Christian memory is like the salt of life. Without memory we cannot go on. When we encounter ‘forgetful’ Christians, we can immediately see that they have lost the flavor of Christian life and have become people who obey the Commandments without spirituality.”
“Do not forget these moments: think back and relive them because they are moments of inspiration, of meeting with Christ. “Each of us has moments such as these: when I got to know Jesus, when He changed my life, when the Lord showed me my vocation, when the Lord visited me at a difficult time... We all have these moments in our hearts. Let's contemplate them.”
“Remember your mother and grandmother as they have transmitted the faith to you. We have not received the faith by mail, but through those who passed it on to us. Look at them who are a multitude of witnesses and take strength from them.”
“Am I faithful to the law, do I remember the law, do I repeat the law? Sometimes we Christians, even the consecrated ones, have difficulty repeating by heart the commandments. Remember Jesus Christ, the Lord who came, who gave his life for me and who will come again. He is the Lord of memory, the Lord of hope.'