Avoid temptations to lead a double life, Pope tells congregation at morning Mass
November 17, 2015
Pope Francis cautioned Christians against leading a double life, in his homily at a morning Mass on November 17.
Commenting on the day’s reading from the Book of Maccabees, in which Eleazar is advised to accommodate himself to an unjust law, the Pope observed that temptations are usually more subtle. Worldliness creeps in, he said; it “comes slowly, it grows, it justifies itself, it infects.”
Eventually, a worldly spirit leads one to live a double life, the Pope said. He spoke of someone who might say, “Oh, I’m a good Catholic, Father; I go to Mass every Sunday”—and then take bribes at work.
Christians should be consistent, the Pope told the congregation at the Domus Sanctae Marthae. Since temptations are inevitable, consistency also requires humility, to recognize one’s failures and correct them rather than making excuses that lead to a double life.
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Further information:
- Pope warns against temptations of leading a double life (Vatican Radio)
- Francis: There’s no point going to mass and then offering or receiving bribes (Vatican Insider)
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Posted by: normnuke -
Nov. 19, 2015 7:33 PM ET USA
On this topic it is perhaps appropriate to mention that there are apparently calm estimates that the incidence of homosexualism among priests is about 60%. The worst damage I can imagine to a priest would come from living a lie. No, I am not 'judging'. A dear priest friend of mine wept on his deathbed as I read to him from my Latin missal.
