“The old priest Eli was "lukewarm" and his
sons "corrupt; they frightened the people and beat them with sticks."
In their battle against the Philistines, the Israelites brought with them the
Ark of the Covenant, but as something “magical,”
"something external ." And they are defeated:
the Ark is taken from them by their enemies. There is no true faith in God, in
His real presence in life …”.
Pope Francis
According to pope Francis some
years ago (2014-01-16):
Pope Francis: scandals happen when there is no true relationship with God
(Vatican Radio) Scandals in the Church happen
because there is no living relationship with God and His Word. Thus, corrupt
priests, instead of giving the Bread of Life, give a poisoned meal to the holy
people of God: that’s what Pope Francis affirmed in his homily Thursday morning
during the Mass celebrated in the Santa Marta guesthouse. ....
Commenting on the day's reading and responsorial
Psalm which recount the crushing defeat of the Israelites by the Philistines,
the Pope notes that the people of God at that time had forsaken the Lord. It
was said that the Word of God was "uncommon" at that time. The old
priest Eli was "lukewarm" and his sons "corrupt; they frightened
the people and beat them with sticks." In their battle against the
Philistines, the Israelites brought with them the Ark of the Covenant, but as
something “magical,” "something external." And they are defeated: the
Ark is taken from them by their enemies. There is no true faith in God, in His
real presence in life:
"This passage of Scripture,” the Pope says,
“makes us think about what sort of relationship we have with God, with the Word
of God: is it a formal relationship? Is it a distant relationship? The Word of
God enters into our hearts, changes our hearts. Does it have this power or not?
Is it a formal relationship? But the heart is closed to that Word! It leads us
to think of the so many defeats of the Church, so many defeats of God's people
simply because they do not hear the Lord, do not seek the Lord, do not allow
themselves to be sought by the Lord! And then after a tragedy, the prayer, this
one: 'But, Lord, what happened? You have made us the scorn of our neighbors.
The scorn and derision of those around us. You have made us the laughing stock
(it: favola) among nations! All the nations shake their heads about us. '"
And of the scandals in the Church, Pope Francis
said:
"But are we ashamed? So many scandals that I
do not want to mention individually, but all of us know... We know where they
are! Scandals, some who charged a lot of money.... The shame of the Church! But
are we all ashamed of those scandals, of those failings of priests, bishops,
laity? Where was the Word of God in those scandals; where was the Word of God
in those men and in those women? They did not have a relationship with God!
They had a position in the Church, a position of power, even of comfort. But
the Word of God, no! 'But, I wear a medal,' ‘I carry the Cross ' ... Yes, just
as those bore the Ark! Without the living relationship with God and the Word of
God! I am reminded of the words of Jesus about those for whom scandals come ...
And here the scandal hit: bringing decay (it: decadenza) to the people of God,
including (it: fino alla) the weakness and corruption of the priests."
Francis … concluded his homily, turning his
thoughts to the people of God, saying:
"Poor people! We do not give the Bread of
Life to eat; we do give – in those cases - the bread of Truth! And many times,
we even offer a poisoned meal! ‘Awaken! Why do you sleep, Lord?' Let this be
our prayer! ‘Awaken! Do not reject us forever! Why do you hide Your face? Why do
You forget our affliction and oppression?' We ask the Lord that we never forget
the Word of God, which is alive, so that it enters into our hearts and never to
forget the holy people faithful to God who ask us to nourish and strengthen
them."
....
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