Pope Francis: don’t be a worldly Christian

September 01, 2014

Christians should transform the world and not be transformed by it, Pope Francis said during his August 31 Sunday Angelus address.

“We Christians live in the world, fully integrated into the social and cultural reality of our time, and rightly so: but this carries with it the risk that we might become ‘worldly,’ that ‘the salt might lose its flavor,’” the Pope said as he reflected on the second reading (Rom. 12:1-2) and Gospel (Mt. 16:21-27) of the day.

“It is sad to find watered-down Christians, who are like watered wine,” he continued. “You can’t tell whether they are Christian or worldly.”

“Reading and meditating on the Gospel every day,” “participating in Sunday Mass,” and “days of retreat and spiritual exercises” are three means of spiritual renewal that prevent a Christian from becoming worldly, he added.

Following the Angelus address, the Pope noted that September 1 is the Italian bishops’ Day for the Safeguarding of Creation.

“I hope that everyone-- institutions, associations and citizens-- will strengthen their efforts, so as to safeguard the life and health of people by respecting the environment and nature,” Pope Francis said.

 

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Further information:

• Le parole del Papa alla recita dell’Angelus (Holy See Press Office)
• Pope at Angelus: care for creation and Gospel values (Vatican Radio)
• Sunday Angelus: On the Gospel, Eucharist and Prayer (Zenit)