GOSPEL REFLECTION OF POPE FRANCIS - 10/17/23 (Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr)

From the Gospel according to Luke

Lk 11:37-41

After Jesus had spoken,

a Pharisee invited him to dine at his home.

He entered and reclined at table to eat.

The Pharisee was amazed to see

that he did not observe the prescribed washing before the meal.

The Lord said to him, "Oh you Pharisees!

Although you cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish,

inside you are filled with plunder and evil.

You fools!

Did not the maker of the outside also make the inside?

But as to what is within, give alms,

and behold, everything will be clean for you."

WORDS OF THE HOLY FATHER: 

Hypocrisy is the language of the devil; it is the language of evil that enters our hearts and is sown by the devil. Hypocritical language—I won't say it's normal, but it's common; it's an everyday thing. To appear in one way and to be in another. In the struggle for power, for example, envy and jealousy make you appear in one way, and inside, there is the poison to kill because hypocrisy always kills, sooner or later.

We must learn to accuse ourselves: 'I did this, I think this way, maliciously... I am envious, I would like to destroy that...,' what is inside us, our own, and say it to ourselves, before God. This is a spiritual exercise that is not common, not habitual, but let's try to do it: accuse ourselves, see ourselves in sin, in hypocrisy, in the evil that is in our hearts. Because the devil sows evil and tell the Lord, 'Look, Lord, this is how I am!' and say it with humility. (Santa Marta, 15 October 2019)

Source:

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/word-of-the-day.html

Amen +

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, be with us always until the hour of our death. Amen. +

May the Lord + bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen. +  

Day of Fasting, Abstinence, and Prayer for Peace in the Holy Land:

https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/prayers-for-peace/

Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and Martyr—Memorial:

https://mycatholic.life/saints/saints-of-the-liturgical-year/october-17---st-ignatius-bishop-martyr

Examination of Conscience and Guide to Sacrament of Confession:

https://mycatholic.life/catholic-prayers/examination-of-conscience/

Ultimate Catholic Parents Guide:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Ls6IcexZAls

Summary and Defense of Catholic Teachings:

https://www.catholic.com/tract/pillar-of-fire-pillar-of-truth