A New Forum on Pope Francis

Discussion in 'Pope Francis' started by padraig, May 8, 2013.

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    Pope at Santa Marta: Heaven in our hands








    2014-10-18 Vatican Radio

    (Vatican Radio) The Holy Spirit is the "seal" of light with which God has placed Heaven in Christians’ hands. Often, however, Christians avoid this light in preference of a life spent in the shadows, or worse still, in a false light, that sparkles with hypocrisy.

    Emer McCarthy reports Listen:



    Pope Francis’ homily at Mass Friday morning, followed the First Reading from St. Paul who explains to the Christians of Ephesus that in believing in the Gospel they have received "the seal of the Holy Spirit." With this gift, the Pope says, "God not only chose us" but gave us a style, "a way of life, which is not only a list of habits, it is more: it is an identity":

    "Our identity is precisely this seal, this power of the Holy Spirit, that we all have received in Baptism. And the Holy Spirit has sealed our hearts, and more, walks with us. This Spirit, that was promised us – that Jesus promised us - this Spirit not only gives us an identity, but it is also a down payment on our inheritance. With Him, Heaven begins. We are already living in this Heaven, this eternity, because we have been sealed by the Holy Spirit, which is the very beginning of Heaven: it was our down payment; we have it in hand. We have Heaven in hand with this seal".

    However, Pope Francis continued, having the pledge of Heaven itself for eternity does not stop Christians from slipping on at least a few temptations. First, he notes, "when we want to, not necessarily cancel out this identity, but dull it down”:

    "This is the lukewarm Christian. It is a Christian who, yes, goes to Mass on Sundays, but whose identity is not visible in his way of life. He may even live like a pagan, but he is a Christian. Being lukewarm. Dulling down our identity. And the other sin, of which Jesus spoke to his disciples, and which we heard: 'Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.' 'Pretending': I pretend to be a Christian, but am not. I am not transparent, I say one thing - 'yes, yes I am a Christian' - but I do another, something that is not Christian".

    Instead, and Paul himself reminds us in another passage, a Christian life lived according to that identity created by the Holy Spirit brings with it, gifts of very different weight:

    "Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. And this is our path to Heaven, it is our road, so that Heaven may begin here. Because we have this Christian identity, we have been sealed by the Holy Spirit. Let us ask the Lord for the grace to be careful with this seal, with this our Christian identity, which is not only a promise, no, we have it already in hand our hand, we have a down payment”.
     
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    Pope Francis beatifies Paul VI

    It was a symbolic morning at the Vatican which was led by three Popes: Pope Francis declared Paul VI blessed, accompanied by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.
    Benedict XVI, although frail, followed the ceremony attentively.
    In front of thousands of people, the Pope inscribed Paul VI in the Book of Saints.
    "...Ut Venerabilis Servus Dei Paulus VI, papa, Beati nomine in posterum appelletur." ("We declare that the Venerable Servant of God Paul VI, Pope, shall henceforth be invoked as Blessed...”)
    As is usual during beatifications, this tapestry was unveiled on the facade of the basilica. From there, the newly Blessed seemed to gaze at the crowd with a loving smile.

    POPE FRANCIS

    "When we look to this great Pope, this courageous Christian, this tireless apostle, we cannot but say in the sight of God a word as simple as it is heartfelt and important: thanks! Thank you, our dear and beloved Pope Paul VI! Thank you for your humble and prophetic witness of love for Christ and his Church!”

    Paul VI was an intellectual Pope, whose thoughts continue to incluence the Church today. He is most likely one of the often quoted Pontiffs by Pope Francis, who admires his texts on the apostolate.

    Blessed Paul VI served as Pope for 15 years until his death in 1978. During that time he traveled to 19 countries in all 5 continents. He became one of the strongest voices for peace and the defense of human life.

    His feast day will be celebrated on September 26th, the day of his birth.


    http://www.romereports.com/pg158768-pope-francis-beatifies-paul-vi-en
     
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    Pope Francis remembers Pope John Paul II during his General Audience

    In his greeting to the Polish pilgrims at the General Audience, Pope Francis remembered that today, for the first time, the Church celebrates the feast of St. John Paul II, who was canonized this year on April 27th.




    Pope Francis asked that "his spiritual heritage not be forgotten”. The Pope said that he invited all "to open the doors to Christ” and reminded the world of "the mystery of the Divine Mercy”.




    POPE FRANCIS

    "Today we celebrate the liturgical legacy of St. John Paul II. He invited everyone to open their doors to Christ. He reminded everyone about Divine Mercy. Let's not forget his spiritual legacy. May it push us to reflect and work towards the good of the Church and of society.”

    http://www.romereports.com/pg158800...-john-paul-ii-during-his-general-audience--en
     
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