Pope warns of perfect piety that neglects the poor
(Vatican Radio)The Pope on Monday warned of " an attitude of perfect piety ," which
looks at the doctrine of salvation but does not care for the "poor people " . He was
speaking during his Homily at morning Mass at the Casa Santa Martha. Lydia O’Kane
reports.
The Pope recalling
Monday’s Gospel reading from Luke centred his homily on the “Sign of Jonah” and how
Jesus speaks of a “ wicked generation”. The Pope explained that Jesus with these words
was not referring to the people who followed him with love but he was pin pointing
the doctors of the Church that tried to test him and make him fall into a trap ."
Pope Francis went on the say that the Pharisees asked for signs but Jesus answered
by saying that he alone will give the “Sign of Jonah” just like Jonah himself became
a sign to the Ninevites. The Holy Father said that these people suffer from, what
he called “The Jonah Syndrome” and Jesus calls them hypocrites because they have
" an attitude of perfect piety ," which looks at the doctrine of salvation but does
not care for "poor people " . The Pope continued by saying that the “Sign of Jonah”
, is the sign of truth that gives us the confidence to be saved by the blood of Christ.
How many Christians are there, stressed Pope Francis, that think they will be saved
only for the works they perform. The works, added the Pope are necessary, but they
are a consequence, a response to the merciful love that saves us. These works without
merciful love mean nothing. The “Jonah Syndrome” underlined the Holy Father is work
without this love. The Pope concluded by saying that we should take advantage of
Monday’s liturgy to ask ourselves and make a choice. What do I prefer? The Sign of
Jonah or The Syndrome of Jonah?