Pope Francis: scandals happen when there is no true relationship with God
Jan 16, 2014: Scandals in the Church happen because there is no living relationship
with God and His Word. Thus, corrupt priests, instead of giving the Bread of Life,
give a poisoned meal to the holy people of God: that’s what Pope Francis affirmed
in his homily Thursday morning during the Mass celebrated in the Santa Marta guesthouse.
Commenting on the day’s reading and responsorial Psalm which recount the crushing
defeat of the Israelites by the Philistines, the Pope notes that the people of God
at that time had forsaken the Lord. It was said that the Word of God was "uncommon"
at that time. The old priest Eli was "lukewarm" and his sons "corrupt; they frightened
the people and beat them with sticks." In their battle against the Philistines, the
Israelites brought with them the Ark of the Covenant, but as something “magical,”
"something external." And they are defeated: the Ark is taken from them by their enemies.
There is no true faith in God, in His real presence in life:
"This passage
of Scripture,” the Pope says, “makes us think about what sort of relationship we have
with God, with the Word of God: is it a formal relationship? Is it a distant relationship?
The Word of God enters into our hearts, changes our hearts. Does it have this power
or not? Is it a formal relationship? But the heart is closed to that Word! It leads
us to think of the so many defeats of the Church, so many defeats of God's people
simply because they do not hear the Lord, do not seek the Lord, do not allow themselves
to be sought by the Lord! And then after a tragedy, the prayer, this one: ' But, Lord,
what happened? You have made us the scorn of our neighbors. The scorn and derision
of those around us. You have made us the laughing stock (it: favola) among nations!
All the nations shake their heads about us. '"
And of the scandals in the Church,
Pope Francis said:
"But are we ashamed? So many scandals that I do not want
to mention individually, but all of us know...We know where they are! Scandals, some
who charged a lot of money.... The shame of the Church! But are we all ashamed of
those scandals, of those failings of priests, bishops, laity? Where was the Word of
God in those scandals; where was the Word of God in those men and in those women?
They did not have a relationship with God! They had a position in the Church, a position
of power, even of comfort. But the Word of God, no! 'But, I wear a medal,' ‘I carry
the Cross ' ... Yes, just as those bore the Ark! Without the living relationship with
God and the Word of God! I am reminded of the words of Jesus about those for whom
scandals come ... And here the scandal hit: bringing decay (it: decadenza) to the
people of God, including (it: fino alla) the weakness and corruption of the priests."
Francis
Pope concluded his homily, turning his thoughts to the people of God, saying:
"Poor
people! We do not give the Bread of Life to eat; we do give – in those cases - the
bread of Truth! And many times, we even offer a poisoned meal! ‘Awaken! Why do you
sleep, Lord?' Let this be our prayer! ‘Awaken! Do not reject us forever! Why do you
hide Your face? Why do You forget our affliction and oppression?' We ask the Lord
that we never forget the Word of God, which is alive, so that it enters into our hearts
and never to forget the holy people faithful to God who ask us to nourish and strengthen
them. "