Imitate Christ, but recognize sinfulness, Pope urges faithful

May 26, 2014

Pope Francis celebrated Mass at the Cenacle, the site of the Last Supper, as he concluded his trip to the Holy Land on May 26.

In his homily the Pope observed that the Cenacle could be viewed as the birthplace of the Church. “From here she set out, with the broken bread in her hands, the wounds of Christ before her eyes, and the Spirit of love in her heart.”

Reflecting on the Last Supper, the Pope said that the memory should prompt thoughts of service, of sacrifice, and of friendship. However, he said, the Last Supper “also reminds us of pettiness, of curiosity.” He urged his listeners to resist the temptations that afflicted even the apostles, and to identify with the sacrifice of Christ.

Earlier, during a talk with priests and religious at a church on the Mount of Olives, the Pope had spoken in more detail about the sins that mar Christian ministry. He asked the clerics to examine their own consciences, and ask themselves whether they are like the disciples who slept while Jesus suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane, those who abandoned Him when he was taken away for trial, or even Judas who betrayed him will pretending to be his friend.

Jesus is ready to forgive all these failings, the Pope said. “But the Lord’s goodness does not dispense us from the need for vigilance before the Tempter, before sin, before the evil and the betrayal which can enter even into the religious and priestly life.”

 

---

For all current news, visit our News home page.

---

 
Further information:

• Holy Mass with the Ordinaries of the Holy Land and the Papal Entourage (Holy See Press Office)
• Meeting with Priests, Religious and Seminarians (Holy See Press Office)