A quote from Pope Francis:
“St. Paul tells us that charity is, above all, ‘patient’ and kind.’ The greater our responsibility in serving the Church, the more our hearts must expand according to the measure of the heart of Christ. ‘Patience’ — ‘forbearance’ — is in some sense synonymous with catholicity. It means being able to love without limits, but also to be faithful in particular situations and with practical gestures. It means loving what is great without neglecting what is small; loving the little things within the horizon of the great things. … To know how to love through acts of kindness. ‘Kindness’ — benevolence — means the film and persevering intention to always will the good of others, even those unfriendly to us.
“The Apostle goes on to say that charity ‘is not jealous or boastful, it is not puffed up with pride.’ This is surely a miracle of love, since we humans — all of us, at every stage of our lives — are inclined to jealousy and pride, since our nature is wounded by sin. Nor are Church dignitaries immune from this temptation. But for this very reason, dear brothers, the divine power of love, which transforms hearts, can be all the more evident in us, so that it is no longer you who live, but rather Christ who lives in you. And Jesus is love to the fullest.”
— Homily at the consistory and creation of 20 new cardinals, Feb. 14, 2015
Editor’s note: We can send you a biweekly email alert with content from The Francis Chronicles. Follow the directions on our email alert signup page.
