蜜桃交友

By Sr Bernadette M. Reis, fsp

鈥淚n these turbulent, difficult and painful times, people have the possibility of doing one thing or another, many of them good鈥�, Pope Francis said, introducing Saturday morning鈥檚 liturgy at the Casa Santa Marta. He admitted there is also the possibility some 鈥渕ight get the idea of doing something not so good, to take advantage of the situation, to profit personally from it鈥�.

鈥淲e pray today that the Lord might grant an upright and transparent conscience to everyone, that they might allow God to look on them without shame鈥�.

During his homily, Pope Francis explained how temptation works in us, using the doctors of the law and the high priest in the day鈥檚 Gospel as an example (John 11:45-58).

Temptation causes restlessness

Temptation starts with small feelings of restlessness, Pope Francis explained. In the case of the high priests, the restlessness began with John the Baptizer. But since he caused no repercussions, they left him alone. But then came Jesus, whom John had pointed out.

鈥淗e began to perform signs and miracles, but above all to speak to the people. And they understood, and followed Him. But Jesus did not always observe the law. This is what this made them very restless.鈥�

Temptation grows stronger

Then the testing began. Sometimes their questions directed to Jesus left them astonished at His wisdom, as in the case of the woman who had seven husbands (cf. Matthew 22:23-34). Other times they were humiliated, as in the case of the woman caught in adultery (cf. John 8:1-11). When that didn鈥檛 work, they sent soldiers to arrest Him. Even they were captivated at what Jesus said, the Pope recalled. Some believed in Jesus, others reported Him to the authorities.

Temptation leads to justification

It finally gets to the point, Pope Francis said, that the chief priests have to make a decision to get rid of Jesus.

鈥� 鈥楬e's so dangerous we have to make a decision. What should we do? This man performs many signs鈥� 鈥� they recognize the miracles 鈥� 鈥榠f we let Him continue, everyone will believe in Him. It's dangerous. They will follow Him and they will separate themselves from us鈥� 鈥� the people were not attached to them 鈥� 鈥榯he Romans will come and destroy our temple and our nation鈥�. There's some truth here, but not the whole truth. It was a justification.鈥�

The process of temptation

Pope Francis then outlined how this process that was at work in the leaders of Jesus鈥� day is a 鈥渕odel of how temptation works in us鈥�. It begins with a 鈥渟mall desire or idea鈥�. Then it 鈥済ets stronger鈥�, then 鈥渋t begins to infect others鈥�. In the end, 鈥渨e justify ourselves鈥�. Justification is necessary to calm ourselves interiorly, he said.

Identifying the process

There is an antidote to the process, the Pope continued. It consists in 鈥渋dentifying this process within us鈥�this process that changes our hearts, from good to bad鈥濃�� 鈥淚t's rare, he said, 鈥渢hat temptations comes all at once鈥�. The devil usually takes this path with us.

鈥淲hen we recognize that we are in sin鈥�we must go and ask the Lord for forgiveness. This is the first step that we must take. Then we [should ask ourselves], 鈥楬ow did I fall into this? How did this process begin in my soul? How did it grow? Who have I infected? In the end, how did I justify myself in order to fall?鈥� 鈥�

The Pope鈥檚 prayer

Before concluding his homily, the Pope recalled that Jesus鈥� life 鈥渋s always an example that what happened to Jesus will also happen to us鈥�. His final prayer was directed to the Holy Spirit.

鈥淢ay the Holy Spirit enlighten us [to have] this interior awareness鈥�.