Holy Father Pope Francis while addressing the faithful gathered at Casa Santa Marta for the Holy Mass conveyed that Jesus desires radical reconciliation. The Pontiff said that Jesus uses human wisdom in reasoning with the disciples. In order to drive home his teaching regarding loving relationships, the Lord uses an every-day example, the problem of insults.
As reported by Vatican news, Holy Father Pope Francis remarked that “The list of insults Jesus cites are ancient. Jesus tells us that insults open up a path that ends in murder. We disqualify others through insults. They rob people of their respectability. By insulting people we silence them, we take away their voice.” The Pontiff said it is good to ask ourselves: “Have I insulted anyone today? When do I use insults? When do I close my heart to another with an insult? Can I see the bitter root of envy there that pushes me to desire the destruction of another in order to avoid competition, rivalry, that type of thing? It’s not easy. But let’s think how beautiful it would be if we never insulted others. May the Lord grant us this grace.”
His Holiness Pope Francis concluded his homily by reminding that “When you go to Mass and you are aware that one of your brothers has something against you, go and reconcile yourself… Jesus is that radical. Reconciliation is not the same as good manners. No, it’s a radical attitude, one that tries to respect the dignity of others as well as my own. From insult to reconciliation, from envy to friendship—this is the example that Jesus gives us today.”
