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| Pope Francis greets a delegation of the Salvation Amy (Vatican Media) |
Pope to Salvation Army: Humble
service speaks louder than words
Pope Francis meets with a delegation from the Salvation
Army, and says that holiness is best shown in concrete acts of goodness and
solidarity.
By Devin Watkins
The Salvation Army is both a Protestant Christian church and
an international charitable organization, whose membership numbers over 1.7
million. Known as Salvationists, members seek to bring salvation and
humanitarian relief to people in need.
In his address to the delegation on Friday, Pope Francis
expressed his appreciation for “the witness [Salvationists] give to the primacy
of discipleship and service to the poor.”
He added that it makes them “a credible sign of evangelical
love”.
Humble service
The Pope told the delegation about the first lesson he ever
received in ecumenism. When he was four years old, he met several members of
the Salvation Army while with his grandmother.
“Their example of humble service to the least of our
brothers and sisters spoke louder than any words,” he said.
Pope Francis also recalled what the previous director told
him when they met in 2014: “Holiness transcends denominational boundaries.”
“The holiness that shows itself in concrete acts of
goodness, solidarity, and healing speaks to the heart and testifies to the
authenticity of our discipleship.”
Catholics and Salvationists, said the Pope, can work well
together on this basis, cooperating in “a spirit of mutual respect, even in
leading a holy life.”
Gratuitous love
Pope Francis said gratuitous love shown to others in acts of
service both attracts and convinces. Young people, he noted, need that type of
Christian witness, since they often lack positive examples in daily life.
“In a world where selfishness and divisions abound, the
noble fragrance of genuine self-giving love can offer a much-needed antidote,
and open minds and hearts to the transcendent meaning of our existence,” he
said.
Service and solidarity
Finally, the Pope thanked Salvationists for caring for the
homeless and marginalized in Rome, as well as for their efforts to fight human
trafficking.
“Let us remember one another in our prayers and continue to
work together to spread God’s love through works of service and solidarity.”
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