Pope Francis: The Holy Spirit opens our hearts to the Lord
(Vatican Radio) The Holy Spirit was the subject of Pope Francis’ Homily during morning
Mass at the Casa Santa Martha Monday. The Holy Father also stressed that it was important
for Christians to examine their conscience on a daily basis. Present at the Casa
Santa Martha was the Archpriest of St Peter’s Basilica, Cardinal Angelo Comastri who
concelebrated Mass with Pope Francis. Also present were employees from the complex
of St Peter’s Basilica who listened as the Pope focused his Homily on the Holy Spirit. Pope
Francis said that the Holy Spirit whom Jesus called the “Paraclete” was the Person
of God who is always there to protect us and support us. The Holy Father underlined
the importance of the Holy Spirit in our lives by saying that without this presence,
our Christian lives cannot be understood. Pope Francis went on to describe the
sort of life one would have without the Holy Spirit. It would be a religious life,
he said, a compassionate life of someone who believes in God but without the vitality
that Jesus wants for his disciples. The Spirit the Pope continued, “bears witness”
to Jesus , so that we can give it to others. Turning his attention to the first
reading, the Holy Father recalled the beautiful story of a woman called Lydia whose
heart was opened so as to pay attention to the words of St Paul. The Pope explained
that it is the Holy Spirit that opens our hearts to know Jesus. The Spirit prepares
us for our encounter with Jesus, he leads us down the path of Jesus and works in us
throughout the day and throughout our lives.
The Pope then invited people to
examine their conscience at the end of the day because it is in this way, he added
that we can see how Jesus worked in our hearts.
Concluding his Homily, Pope
Francis “asked that people be granted the grace to become accustomed to the presence
of the Holy Spirit, this witness of Jesus who tells us where Jesus is, how to find
Jesus, what Jesus tells us.” The Pope continued by saying, we should get into the
habit of asking ourselves, before the end of the day: 'What did Holy Spirit do in
me? What witness did he give me?” Because, the Holy Father said, he is a divine presence
that helps us moving forward in our lives as Christians. Listen to Lydia o'Kane's
report