Author Topic: Francis: Rigidity is a sign of a weak heart (Read 2904 times)

2Vermont · « **on:** December 19, 2014, 05:21:21 PM »

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2014/12/15/pope_francis_rigidity_is_a_sign_of_a_weak_heart/1114830

(Vatican Radio) The day’s Gospel reading, which relates how the chief priests asked Jesus by what authority He did His works, was the focus of the Pope’s homily on Monday. It is a demand, the Pope explained, that demonstrates the “hypocritical heart” of those people – people who were not interested in the truth, who sought only their own interests, and went where the wind blew: you should go this way, you should go that way…” They were weathervanes, all of them! All of them! Without consistency. A heart without consistency. And so they negotiated everything: they negotiated interior freedom, they negotiated the faith, they negotiated their county, everything except appearances.” To such people, getting the best out of every situation was the important thing. They were opportunists: “They profited from the situations.”

“And yet,” the Pope continued, “some of you might ask me: ‘But Father, these people were observers of the law: on Saturday they didn’t travel more than a hundred metres – or however many they were able to go – they never, never sat down to eat without washing their hands and making their ablutions; they were a very observant people, very secure in their habits.’ Yes, it’s true – but only in appearance. They were strong, but on the outside. They were in a cast. The heart was very weak, they didn’t know what they believed. And because of this their life, the outer part of their life, was completely regulated, but the heart was otherwise: a weak heart, and a skin that was plastered over, strong, harsh. Jesus, on the other hand, teaches us that the Christian should have a strong heart, a firm heart, a heart built on the rock, that is Christ; and then, in the way it goes out, it goes out with prudence: ‘In this case, I do this, but…’ It is the way of going out, but the heart is not negotiable, the rock is not negotiable. The rock is Christ, it is not negotiable”:

“This is the drama of the hypocrisy of this people. And Jesus never negotiates His heart of the Son of the Father, but He was so open to the people, seeking paths to help them. ‘But this can’t be done; our discipline, our doctrine say this can’t be done!’ they say. ‘Why do your disciples eat grain in the fields, when they travel, on the day of the Sabbath? It can’t be done!’ They were so rigid in their discipline: ‘No, the discipline can’t be touched, it’s sacred.’”

Pope Francis recalled how “Pius XII freed us from the very heavy cross that was the Eucharistic fast”:

“But some of you might remember. You couldn’t even drink a drop of water. Not even that! And to brush your teeth, it had to be done in such a way that you didn’t swallow the water. But I myself as a young boy went to confession for having made the Communion, because I thought a drop of water had gone in. Is it true or no? It’s true. When Pius XII changed the discipline: ‘Ah, heresy! No! He touched the discipline of the Church.’ So many Pharisees were scandalized. So many. Because Pius XII had acted like Jesus: he saw the need of the people. ‘But the poor people, with such warmth.’ These priests who said three Masses, the last at one o’clock, after noon, fasting. The discipline of the Church. And these Pharisees [spoke about] ‘our discipline’ – rigid on the outside, but, as Jesus said of them, ‘rotting in the heart,’ weak, weak to the point of rottenness. Gloomy in the heart.”

“This is the drama of these people,” and Jesus denounces hypocrisy and opportunism:

“Even our life can become like that, even our life. And sometimes, I confess something to you, when I have seen a Christian, a Christian of that kind, with a weak heart, not firm, not fixed on the rock—Jesus – and with such rigidness on the outside, I ask the Lord: ‘But Lord, throw a banana peel in front of them, so that they will take a good fall, and feel shame that they are sinners, and so encounter You, [and realize] that You are the Saviour. Many times a sin will make us feel shame, and make us encounter the Lord, Who pardons us, as the sick who were there and went to the Lord for healing.”

“But the simple people,” the Pope said, “do not err,” despite the words of these doctors of the law, “because the people know, they have a certain ‘flair’ for the faith.”

The Pope concluded his homily with this prayer: “I ask the Lord for the grace that our hearts might be simple, luminous with the truth that He gives us, and thus we might be able to be lovable, forgiving, understanding of others, [to have] a large heart with the people, to be merciful. Never to condemn, never to condemn. If you have wanted to condemn, you condemn yourself, who has some reason, eh?” He continued, “Let us ask the Lord for the grace that He might give us this interior light, that convinces us that the rock is Him alone, and not so many stories we make as if they were important things; and that He might tell us – that He might tell us! – the path, that He might accompany us on the path, that He might enlarge our hearts, so that they can enter into the problems of so many people, and that He might give us the grace that these people did not have: the grace to feel that we are sinners.”

2Vermont · « **Reply #1 on:** December 19, 2014, 05:37:08 PM »

But some of you might remember. You couldn’t even drink a drop of water. Not even that! And to brush your teeth, it had to be done in such a way that you didn’t swallow the water.

Was this even true? Or is this an example of certain Catholics being too scrupulous?

Matto · « **Reply #2 on:** December 19, 2014, 06:14:33 PM »

From my experience, rigid is one of the common terms modernists use to describe people who actually have the true faith or have beliefs similar to those of the true faith. For example, if you believe it is a sin to look at pornography you are too rigid. Or if you believe masturbation is a sin you are too rigid.

PG · « **Reply #3 on:** December 19, 2014, 08:37:28 PM »

2vermont - I wasn't alive back then, but there is no way that that was the discipline.

JezusDeKoning · « **Reply #4 on:** December 19, 2014, 09:00:14 PM »

I know the Eucharistic fast before Pius XII prohibited food and drink starting at midnight before Mass on Sunday, but I think this is Bergoglio being facetious.

Cantarella · « **Reply #5 on:** December 19, 2014, 09:11:08 PM »

Many of the present innovations and liturgical reforms actually ocurred during the pontificate of Pope Pius XII, the impeccable "last true Pope" for many here.

Quote

In 1948, Pope Pius XII set up a Pontifical Commission for the Reform of the Liturgy. He was the first to permit Masses to be celebrated during the evening hours and also made significant changes in the Eucharistic fast (which for centuries prior to 1953 meant that Catholics were to refrain from food and drink – except water – from midnight until receiving Holy Communion at morning Mass). In 1953 the fast was changed to 3 hours from solid foods and 1 hour from liquids. In 1957 the conditions of the fast were more relaxed in an effort to support changing working conditions of the people and to accommodate the faithful desiring to attend afternoon or evening Masses.

Contrary to popular opinion, permission to use the vernacular in the Mass did not first happen as a result of the Second Vatican Council. Under Pope Pius XII non-Latin liturgies were common, particularly in countries with expanding Catholic mission activities. Although Pope Pius XII insisted on the primacy of Latin in the Mass (cf. Mediator Dei, 60), he did support use of the vernacular in the rituals for the sacraments and in other liturgies outside of the Mass.

Pope Pius XII also updated the Holy Week liturgies with particular attention to Holy Saturday, adding the Easter Vigil as an evening event in 1951. The renewal of baptismal promises within the Easter Vigil marked the first use of the vernacular into the Mass worldwide. In 1955 the pope added more changes to the Easter Vigil and introduced significant changes to the other Holy Week liturgies. In 1955 Pope Pius also reformed the liturgical calendar which eliminated most of the feasts from the ancient custom of being included in “Vespers” on the evening before the feast.

JezusDeKoning · « **Reply #6 on:** December 19, 2014, 09:41:19 PM »

I've always thought that using the vernacular for certain things that occur outside of Mass (i.e. wedding/baptismal vows/recessionals) was the norm.

LaramieHirsch · « **Reply #7 on:** December 19, 2014, 10:09:57 PM »

Quote from: Matto

From my experience, rigid is one of the common terms modernists use to describe people who actually have the true faith or have beliefs similar to those of the true faith. For example, if you believe it is a sin to look at pornography you are too rigid. Or if you believe masturbation is a sin you are too rigid.

I always feel insulted by the pope these days.

OHCA · « **Reply #8 on:** December 19, 2014, 11:36:50 PM »

Quote from: Cantarella

Many of the present innovations and liturgical reforms actually ocurred during the pontificate of Pope Pius XII, the impeccable "last true Pope" for many here.

Quote
In 1948, Pope Pius XII set up a Pontifical Commission for the Reform of the Liturgy. He was the first to permit Masses to be celebrated during the evening hours and also made significant changes in the Eucharistic fast (which for centuries prior to 1953 meant that Catholics were to refrain from food and drink – except water – from midnight until receiving Holy Communion at morning Mass). In 1953 the fast was changed to 3 hours from solid foods and 1 hour from liquids. In 1957 the conditions of the fast were more relaxed in an effort to support changing working conditions of the people and to accommodate the faithful desiring to attend afternoon or evening Masses.

Contrary to popular opinion, permission to use the vernacular in the Mass did not first happen as a result of the Second Vatican Council. Under Pope Pius XII non-Latin liturgies were common, particularly in countries with expanding Catholic mission activities. Although Pope Pius XII insisted on the primacy of Latin in the Mass (cf. Mediator Dei, 60), he did support use of the vernacular in the rituals for the sacraments and in other liturgies outside of the Mass.

Pope Pius XII also updated the Holy Week liturgies with particular attention to Holy Saturday, adding the Easter Vigil as an evening event in 1951. The renewal of baptismal promises within the Easter Vigil marked the first use of the vernacular into the Mass worldwide. In 1955 the pope added more changes to the Easter Vigil and introduced significant changes to the other Holy Week liturgies. In 1955 Pope Pius also reformed the liturgical calendar which eliminated most of the feasts from the ancient custom of being included in “Vespers” on the evening before the feast.

Are you a conciliarist? Do you attend a diocesan dress-rehearsal bells & whistles "TLM?"

Cantarella · « **Reply #9 on:** December 20, 2014, 12:16:50 AM »

Quote from: OHCA

Quote from: Cantarella
Many of the present innovations and liturgical reforms actually ocurred during the pontificate of Pope Pius XII, the impeccable "last true Pope" for many here.

Quote
In 1948, Pope Pius XII set up a Pontifical Commission for the Reform of the Liturgy. He was the first to permit Masses to be celebrated during the evening hours and also made significant changes in the Eucharistic fast (which for centuries prior to 1953 meant that Catholics were to refrain from food and drink – except water – from midnight until receiving Holy Communion at morning Mass). In 1953 the fast was changed to 3 hours from solid foods and 1 hour from liquids. In 1957 the conditions of the fast were more relaxed in an effort to support changing working conditions of the people and to accommodate the faithful desiring to attend afternoon or evening Masses.

Contrary to popular opinion, permission to use the vernacular in the Mass did not first happen as a result of the Second Vatican Council. Under Pope Pius XII non-Latin liturgies were common, particularly in countries with expanding Catholic mission activities. Although Pope Pius XII insisted on the primacy of Latin in the Mass (cf. Mediator Dei, 60), he did support use of the vernacular in the rituals for the sacraments and in other liturgies outside of the Mass.

Pope Pius XII also updated the Holy Week liturgies with particular attention to Holy Saturday, adding the Easter Vigil as an evening event in 1951. The renewal of baptismal promises within the Easter Vigil marked the first use of the vernacular into the Mass worldwide. In 1955 the pope added more changes to the Easter Vigil and introduced significant changes to the other Holy Week liturgies. In 1955 Pope Pius also reformed the liturgical calendar which eliminated most of the feasts from the ancient custom of being included in “Vespers” on the evening before the feast.

Are you a conciliarist? Do you attend a diocesan dress-rehearsal bells & whistles "TLM?"

OCHA finds these simple historical facts about Pope Pius XII objectionable. Wonder why...perhaps he can point out to us what of the above is false and support with evidence whatever claim.

LaramieHirsch · « **Reply #10 on:** December 20, 2014, 02:00:13 AM »

Quote from: OHCA

Are you a conciliarist? Do you attend a diocesan dress-rehearsal bells & whistles "TLM?"

Oooo ooo! I am! I do! :jumping2:

Because I want to be in the Catholic Church, and there is no salvation outside of it.

OHCA · « **Reply #11 on:** December 20, 2014, 05:27:11 AM »

Quote from: Cantarella

Quote from: OHCA
Quote from: Cantarella
Many of the present innovations and liturgical reforms actually ocurred during the pontificate of Pope Pius XII, the impeccable "last true Pope" for many here.

Quote
In 1948, Pope Pius XII set up a Pontifical Commission for the Reform of the Liturgy. He was the first to permit Masses to be celebrated during the evening hours and also made significant changes in the Eucharistic fast (which for centuries prior to 1953 meant that Catholics were to refrain from food and drink – except water – from midnight until receiving Holy Communion at morning Mass). In 1953 the fast was changed to 3 hours from solid foods and 1 hour from liquids. In 1957 the conditions of the fast were more relaxed in an effort to support changing working conditions of the people and to accommodate the faithful desiring to attend afternoon or evening Masses.

Contrary to popular opinion, permission to use the vernacular in the Mass did not first happen as a result of the Second Vatican Council. Under Pope Pius XII non-Latin liturgies were common, particularly in countries with expanding Catholic mission activities. Although Pope Pius XII insisted on the primacy of Latin in the Mass (cf. Mediator Dei, 60), he did support use of the vernacular in the rituals for the sacraments and in other liturgies outside of the Mass.

Pope Pius XII also updated the Holy Week liturgies with particular attention to Holy Saturday, adding the Easter Vigil as an evening event in 1951. The renewal of baptismal promises within the Easter Vigil marked the first use of the vernacular into the Mass worldwide. In 1955 the pope added more changes to the Easter Vigil and introduced significant changes to the other Holy Week liturgies. In 1955 Pope Pius also reformed the liturgical calendar which eliminated most of the feasts from the ancient custom of being included in “Vespers” on the evening before the feast.

Are you a conciliarist? Do you attend a diocesan dress-rehearsal bells & whistles "TLM?"

OCHA finds these simple historical facts about Pope Pius XII objectionable. Wonder why...perhaps he can point out to us what of the above is false and support with evidence whatever claim.

I find it objectionable that you were slyly trying to make Frank the Fraud look no different than Pope Pius II.

OHCA · « **Reply #12 on:** December 20, 2014, 08:41:23 AM »

Quote from: LaramieHirsch

Quote from: OHCA

Are you a conciliarist? Do you attend a diocesan dress-rehearsal bells & whistles "TLM?"

Oooo ooo! I am! I do! :jumping2:

Because I want to be in the Catholic Church, and there is no salvation outside of it.

So conciliarists are the only ones who are "in the Catholic Church?"

2Vermont · « **Reply #13 on:** December 20, 2014, 08:49:28 AM »

Quote from: OHCA

Quote from: Cantarella
Quote from: OHCA
Quote from: Cantarella
Many of the present innovations and liturgical reforms actually ocurred during the pontificate of Pope Pius XII, the impeccable "last true Pope" for many here.

Quote
In 1948, Pope Pius XII set up a Pontifical Commission for the Reform of the Liturgy. He was the first to permit Masses to be celebrated during the evening hours and also made significant changes in the Eucharistic fast (which for centuries prior to 1953 meant that Catholics were to refrain from food and drink – except water – from midnight until receiving Holy Communion at morning Mass). In 1953 the fast was changed to 3 hours from solid foods and 1 hour from liquids. In 1957 the conditions of the fast were more relaxed in an effort to support changing working conditions of the people and to accommodate the faithful desiring to attend afternoon or evening Masses.

Contrary to popular opinion, permission to use the vernacular in the Mass did not first happen as a result of the Second Vatican Council. Under Pope Pius XII non-Latin liturgies were common, particularly in countries with expanding Catholic mission activities. Although Pope Pius XII insisted on the primacy of Latin in the Mass (cf. Mediator Dei, 60), he did support use of the vernacular in the rituals for the sacraments and in other liturgies outside of the Mass.

Pope Pius XII also updated the Holy Week liturgies with particular attention to Holy Saturday, adding the Easter Vigil as an evening event in 1951. The renewal of baptismal promises within the Easter Vigil marked the first use of the vernacular into the Mass worldwide. In 1955 the pope added more changes to the Easter Vigil and introduced significant changes to the other Holy Week liturgies. In 1955 Pope Pius also reformed the liturgical calendar which eliminated most of the feasts from the ancient custom of being included in “Vespers” on the evening before the feast.

Are you a conciliarist? Do you attend a diocesan dress-rehearsal bells & whistles "TLM?"

OCHA finds these simple historical facts about Pope Pius XII objectionable. Wonder why...perhaps he can point out to us what of the above is false and support with evidence whatever claim.

I find it objectionable that you were slyly trying to make Frank the Fraud look no different than Pope Pius II.

Slyly? LOL

Once again Cantarella takes a stab at sedevacantists. She just can't help herself.

2Vermont · « **Reply #14 on:** December 20, 2014, 08:57:34 AM »

Quote from: JezusDeKoning

I know the Eucharistic fast before Pius XII prohibited food and drink starting at midnight before Mass on Sunday, but I think this is Bergoglio being facetious.

Facetious? No. I think he is absolutely being serious here. I'm guessing that what he experienced was the result of scrupulous parents. And he is falsely attributing it to the "very heavy cross that was the Eucharistic fast".

If anyone is being sly here it is Francis. He is pointing to Pius XII and the change in the fast requirements so that he can say that the changes he is looking to put into place (communion to divorce and remarried) are just like that one.