(May 15, 2013) Pray for the priests and bishops that they do not yield to the temptation
of money and vanity but serve the people of God, Pope Francis exhorted a group of
Vatican Radio employees attending his Mass celebrated in Santa Marta’s chapel
on Wednesday. The Pope’s homily was taken from the passage of the Acts of the Apostles,
where Paul exhorts the elders of the Church of Epheseus to watch over themselves
and the entire flock. Shepherds must be attentive to ravenous wolves , said the
Pope. The bishops and priests, he said, are at the service of others and have to
preserve, build and defend them. He explained that it is a relationship of protection
and love between God and the pastor and the pastor and the people. A bishop and
the priest, must look after the flock entrusted to their care. But we are all sinners,
even the bishop and the priest, and we may be may be tempted by greed for wealth
and power. When this happens people do not love them. St. Paul reminds us that he
worked and did not have a bank account.. So let us pray for our bishops and priests
that they do not fall into temptations but remain true pastors and look after
their flock with loving care. Sedoc: