Pope
urges priests to pastor with tenderness
(Vatican Radio) The tenderness of God was the subject of Pope Francis’
homily at the mass during a retreat for priests, organized by International
Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services and the Catholic Fraternity, held at St.
John Lateran last night.
Recalling words of the
book of Deuteronomy, he said the tenderness of God is best expressed in His
closeness. Without the Lord, we do not know how to walk in the Spirit. “the
omnipotent [who] lowers himself and teaches me to walk,” is an example of the
tenderness of God, he said.
Speaking about the 23
Coptic Christian martyrs beheaded by Islamic militants in Libya in February,
The Pope emphasized that these martyrs gave testimony to God’s accompaniment
even in times of trial. “They were certain that God did not abandon
them,” he said.
He challenged the
priests present to be ministers of the tenderness of God, asking that they
leave the whip behind in the sacristy. This ministry of tenderness, “is a
divine grace,” the Pope said.
At the end of the
mass, Pope Francis spoke off the cuff before the final benediction thanking the
priests for their participation. He urged them to return to their parishes with
the tenderness and mercy that they have experienced.
He assured them that
through the priests present, the faithful “will receive a great blessing of the
holy Spirit.”
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