Pope Francis: There are many 'hidden saints' who live out the Gospel in their daily lives




In his Thursday morning Mass, Pope Francis talked about so called 'hidden saints.' Men, women, parents, religious and everyday people who live out the Gospel and give hope.

POPE FRANCIS
"Let's think about all the priests who don't publicize it, but who work in their parishes with great love: Teaching catechesis to children, caring for the elderly, the sick, and preparing newlywed couples...Every day it's the same, the same, the same. They don't get bored because their foundation is solid like a rock. It's Jesus. This is what gives Holiness to the Church. This is what gives hope!”

The Pope then added that being Christian is about more than just appearances. Rather, its about living the Gospel in everyday life.

SUMMARY OF POPE'S HOMILY
(Source: Vatican Radio)

"Let us consider so many priests who are not seen, but who work in their parishes with such love: [doing the work of] catechesis for children, care of the elderly, of the sick, the preparation of new spouses… and every day the same, the same, the same. They are not bored because their foundation is the rock. It is Jesus, it this that gives holiness to the Church, it is this that gives hope!”

"We should think about so much hidden holiness there is in the Church,” Pope Francis said, "Christians who remain in Jesus. Sinners, eh? We are all [sinners]. And yet sometimes one of these Christians commits some grave sin, but is penitent, seeks pardon, and this is great: the capacity to seek pardon, to not confuse sin with virtue, to know well where virtue is, and where sin is. These are founded on rock, and the rock is Christ. They follow the path of Christ, they follow Him.”

"The proud, the vain, the ‘Christians in appearance’ will be demolished, humbled,” the Pope said, while " the poor will be those who triumph, the poor in spirit, those who in the presence of God consider themselves to be nothing, the humble, and they carry forward salvation, putting into practice the Word of the Lord.” He continued, citing St Bernard: "Today we are, tomorrow we will not be. Think, man, what will become of you: [you will be] the food of worms… The worms will eat us, all of us. If we do not have this rock, we will end up trampled down.”

~ Via Rome Reports.
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