We need to recognize that we are sinners: without learning to accuse ourselves, we cannot walk in the Christian life. That was the heart of Holy Father Pope Francis’ message in the homily for the daily Mass at the Casa Santa Marta. The reflection of His Holiness Pope Francis took its point of departure from the day’s Gospel reading, from St Luke (Lk 5:1-11), in which Jesus preaches from the boat of Peter, and then invites Peter to cast his nets into the deep waters. When they had done this, the Gospel says, “they caught a great number of fish.”
As reported by Vatican news, Holy Father Pope Francis remarked that “After seeing that the nets were at the point of breaking on account of the great number of fish, Peter throws himself at Jesus’ feet, saying, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” This is the first decisive step of Peter along the path of discipleship, of the disciple of Jesus, accusing himself: ‘I am a sinner.’ This is Peter’s first step; and also the first step for each one of us, if you want to go forward in the spiritual life, in the life of Jesus, serving Jesus, following Jesus, must be this, accusing oneself: without accusing oneself you cannot walk in the Christian life.”
The Pontiff concluded his homily by urging the faithful that “Today let us ask the Lord for the grace, the grace to find ourselves face to face with Him with this wonder that His presence gives; and the grace to feel that we are sinners, but concretely, and to say with Peter: ‘Depart from me, for I am a sinner’.”
