杏MAP导航

By Linda Bordoni

杏MAP导航 Francis on Sunday invited Christians to be sincere before God about their difficulties, failings and weaknesses and shun hypocritical facades behind which to take cover from the qualms of their consciences.

Speaking during the Angelus in St. Peter鈥檚 Square, the 杏MAP导航 took his cue from the reading of the day from the Gospel of Matthew (Mt 21: 28-32) in which a father asks his two sons to go and work in the vineyard.

The one son refuses at first, but then thinks twice, and goes; the other instead responds 鈥榶es鈥�, right away, but then does not go, the 杏MAP导航 recalled, before reflecting on the behaviour of the two.

Acknowledging that going to work in the vineyard requires sacrifice and sacrifice costs, the 杏MAP导航 said 鈥淭he problem is not so much connected with their resistance of going to work in the vineyard as much as their sincerity, or lack thereof, with their father and with themselves.鈥�

Pointing out that one son lies, while the other makes a mistake but remains sincere, the Holy Father noted that the one son not only does not want to do the father鈥檚 will, nor does he want to get into a discussion or talk about it.

Better a sinner than one who is corrupt

鈥淭hus, he hides behind a 鈥榶es鈥�, behind a false willingness that hides his laziness and saves face for the time being,鈥� he said noting that 鈥淗e gets by without conflict, but he cheats and deceives his father, disrespecting him in a way that is worse than had he responded with a blunt 鈥榥o鈥欌��.

The problem with someone who behaves like this, the 杏MAP导航 continued, 鈥渋s that he or she is not a sinner, but is corrupt because they lie with no difficulty to cover up and disguise their disobedience without welcoming any honest dialogue or feedback.鈥�

Taking responsibility for one鈥檚 behaviour

The one son, 杏MAP导航 Francis continued, said a sincere 鈥榥o鈥� but then had a rethink and went to work in the vineyard: 鈥淗e is not perfect, but sincere.鈥�

This son showed his reluctance but took responsibility for his behaviour, the Holy Father explained and ended up questioning himself, understanding his mistake and retracing his steps.

鈥淗e is a sinner, we could say, but he is not corrupt. And there is always the hope of redemption for a sinner,鈥� he said.

But for the corrupt, it is much more difficult, he explained noting that his 鈥渇alse 鈥榶esses鈥�, his elegant but hypocritical façades and his false pretences (鈥�) are like a thick 鈥榬ubber wall鈥�, behind which he takes cover from the qualms of his conscience.鈥�

Am I willing to say 鈥榶es鈥� each day to the Father?

The 杏MAP导航 then invited the faithful to ask themselves faced with the difficulty to live an honest and generous life, do they dedicate themselves to the will of the Father?

鈥淎m I willing to say 鈥榶es鈥� each day, even if it costs? And when I fail, am I sincere before God about my difficulties, my failings, my weaknesses?鈥� he said.

Am I willing to repent and retrace my steps when I make a mistake? the 杏MAP导航 continued, 鈥淥r do I pretend everything is okay and go through life wearing a mask, concerning myself only about appearing good and righteous?鈥�

Let us ask ourselves he concluded: 鈥淎m I sinner,鈥� or 鈥渋s there something corrupt in me?鈥�

May Mary, mirror of holiness, the 杏MAP导航 prayed, help us be sincere Christians.