Francis: “A Rich Church is an Old, Lifeless Church”

La Stampa-Vatican Insider ^ | 6/11/13 | Vatican Insider Staff

[marshmallow]

This was Francis’ main message in this morning’s homily for the mass in St. Martha’s House, as reported by “Vatican Radio”. After the mass he tweeted: “We must not be afraid of solidarity; rather let us make all we have and are available to God.”

If the focus is on making the Church “rich”, then the Church will grow “old” and “lifeless” the Pope said in this morning’s mass in St. Martha’s House, which he co-celebrated with Archbishop Gerhard Ludwig Müller. Priests and staff from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith also attended. The Pope urged faithful to proclaim the Gospel with “simplicity” and “freely”. He reiterated the Church is not an NGO and underlined that poverty “is one of the signs of this gratuity."

“St. Peter did not have a bank account, and when he had to pay taxes, the Lord sent him to the sea to catch fish and find the money in the fish, to pay,” Pope Francis said, recalling the style of the primitive Church.

[seeker41]

Have the Pope toss some money my way.

[Buckeye McFrog]

Well, that explains why a wise old Priest I know told us to all pray for his safety. Against threats from inside the Vatican.

[EricT.]

I can’t find fault in that at all.

[Tax-chick]

He’s right. There is a grasping heart, and there is a giving heart, and the Church has to be giving, sacrificially, from a heart of love, just as Jesus gave Himself. It has to be a change in every person’s heart.

[I want the USA back]

Get rid of the red shoes and the bowing down and kissing ring thing. That’s a carryover from the times when the Pope was a secular ruler - head of state.

Also, they should stop wearing dresses.

[Arlis]

This pope may indeed be a true man of God more than a man of “the church”. He’s showing every evidence.

One of my fav quotes is:

“Every move of God is born in a cave. And it dies in a cathedral.”

I.e., when God’s people are desperate, needy, and without hope is when they are on their faces in their poverty crying out to God. Always - He hears their cry - and answers, and blesses. 100 years later, prosperous from His blessings - they forget him (and the poor) and build glorious cathedrals. Supposedly they are for God’s glory, but in reality they only glorify man. And in them, the now rich forget where their blessings came from, their original state. And die.

Then you have a dead, empty, but very pretty shell or carcass.

I think this Pope gets it.

[schm0e]

Oh, boy. Part of me believes these are the words for the times that are a-coming and part of me thinks, “be careful what you wish for, Holy Father.” And another part thinks the first two are the same thing.

[Tax-chick]

And another part thinks the first two are the same thing.

That part is perceptive!

[Mrs. Don-o]

1. Francis doesn't wear red shoes, he wears his old black shoes. (Benedict did wear red --- true, they were customary, but they were gifts.)

He tends to favor the no-shoes --- but there are people who don't like that, either.

2. The ring is a symbol of a person's position of responsibility or commitment, just like my and my husband's wedding rings or a military distinguished service medal. The Pope's ring is particularly inexpensive, since they melt it down and re-cast it for each new pope. Thrifty: reuse and recycle.

Besides, the pope IS a head of state.

3. No vestments? You mean you want him to undertake the expense of buying a closet-full of new suits, so he can look like a U.N. diplomat, a banker, or Pat Robertson instead? I'm perfectly OK with him sticking with his official uniform, which he has tended to simplify.

Dresses? Did Jesus and Peter wear Abercrombie & Fitch?

I find that generally, when people disparage the traditional insignia, clothing and customs of an organization, they haven't much use for that organization to begin with. Not saying that's you, just making an observation.

[Tax-chick]

Did Jesus and Peter wear Abercrombie & Fitch?

I believe it was the inimitable Ray Stevens who asked, "Would Jesus wear a Rolex on his television show?"

[Tax-chick]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZyQHqzsXSo

Written by Chet Atkins, originally recorded by Ray Stevens. This is a version by Cledus T. Judd and Joe Diffie.

[schm0e]

You’re too kind.

[Alex Murphy]

If the focus is on making the Church “rich”, then the Church will grow “old” and “lifeless” the Pope said in this morning’s mass...

Note the IF-THEN statement. What the Pope said is a far cry from what the title states. Jesus said "it is easier for a rich man to go to heaven...", not "it is impossible...."

“St. Peter did not have a bank account, and when he had to pay taxes, the Lord sent him to the sea to catch fish and find the money in the fish, to pay,” Pope Francis said, recalling the style of the primitive Church.

"I tell you that to everyone who has, more shall be given, but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away." - Luke 19:26

"You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth..." - Deuteronomy 8:18

[Alex Murphy]

Did Jesus and Peter wear Abercrombie & Fitch?

No, but He has been known to wear Levis on occasion :)

'Jesus in jeans' sculpture unveiled

[Mrs. Don-o]

Poe Innocent III was giving St. Francis of Assisi an impromptu tour of some of the art and architecture of the Eternal City. He paused in front of a fresco showing the dramatic scene in the book of Acts where St. Peter gives the lame beggar, not money, but --- in the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth --- a miraculous healing.

The Pope remarked, "Of course, the Successor of Peter can no longer say, "Silver and gold I have none."

St. Francis observed, "...and neither can you say, "Arise and walk."

[Tax-chick]

;-).

[Mrs. Don-o]

Then there's Jesus Pérez Rodríguez in jeans.

Sure, I know Jesus. He goes to my church.

[piusv]

I honestly don’t get what he is talking about here.

[Tax-chick]

Nice looking kid, if he were neatly dressed ...

My friend Maria de Lourdes has a son named Jesus, but everyone calls him Jesse.