Pope says worship of God more important than rituals

November 22, 2013 - The temple is a holy place where more than any ritual, the adoration of the Lord is of utmost importance. Pope Francis made the point in his homily at Mass, Friday morning, in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta residence in the Vatican. Taking his cue from the Mass reading on the re-dedication of the temple from the Book of Macabbees, the Pope spoke about the beauty, music and ritual of our liturgies, but said the main focus of the community gathered around the altar must be the adoration of God. Recalling how Jesus chased away those who tried to do business in the temple, the Holy Father asked whether our churches and our liturgical celebrations today help us to worship and adore God. He also dwelt upon the teaching of St Paul, who regards our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit. He said that following God’s word requires a continual purification, since all of us are sinners, which we do through prayer, penitence, through the Sacraments of Reconciliation and the Eucharist. In this way, he concluded, in both the material building where we worship and in the spiritual temple of our hearts, our attitude must be one of adoration and attentive listening, an attitude of prayer, penitence and praise