Pope Francis: May common difficulties lead to greater unity

Source: Vatican News

Pope Francis prayed that God might give us the grace of unity, during morning Mass at Casa Santa Marta on Tuesday. "In these difficult times," he said, "may He allow us to discover the communion that binds us and the unity which is always greater than any division."

In his homily, the Pope reflected on Peter's invitation to conversion on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:36-41). Peter tells the people gathered in Jerusalem to repent and return to God.

"To repent means returning to faithfulness," said Pope Francis. "There are always illusions that attract our attention, and often we follow after these illusions." But, he said, we are called to be faithful "in good times and in bad."

The Pope then recalled an episode from the 12th Chapter of the Second Book of Chronicles. Rehoboam, the first king of Judah, felt that his kingdom was secure. So, he "abandoned the law of the Lord, and so did all Israel with him" (2 Chr 12:1).

Pope Francis said this was a historical event, which also holds universal value.

"Many times when we feel secure we begin to make plans and we slowly drift away from the Lord. We don't remain faithful. My security is no longer that which the Lord gives me. It is an idol. This is what happened to Rehoboam and the people of Israel. He felt secure - a consolidated kingdom - and abandoned the law and began to worship idols."

Pope Francis said we might protest that we have never knelt before idols ourselves. "No, perhaps you don't kneel, but it's true that you seek them and often adore idols in your heart. Self-assuredness opens the door to idols."

Feeling secure is not a bad thing, said Pope Francis. "It is a grace: being secure in the knowledge that the Lord is with me."

Rather, security becomes a crutch and leads to sin when I put myself at the centre and stop being faithful.

"The whole history of Israel, and the whole history of the Church, is full of infidelity. It is full of egotistical behaviour and self-assuredness that leads the people of God to abandon the Lord… Even among us, between people, faithfulness is not a virtue that is highly valued."

Watch the Mass here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAoPpzpQWyk

Throughout the Coronavirus crisis, Pope Francis has cancelled public appearances, but instead his Morning Masses at Casa Santa Marta are being livestreamed, especially for those who are sick and those caring for them. Recordings are also being posted up by Vatican Media so people around the world can see them later.