{"id":6674,"date":"2021-10-26T14:23:55","date_gmt":"2021-10-26T18:23:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/diocesemontreal.wp.vortexdev.com\/en\/news\/news-2\/pope-francis-love-alone-attracts-and-changes-human-heart\/"},"modified":"2021-10-26T14:23:55","modified_gmt":"2021-10-26T18:23:55","slug":"pope-francis-love-alone-attracts-and-changes-human-heart","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/diocesemontreal.wp.vortexdev.com\/en\/news\/news-2\/pope-francis-love-alone-attracts-and-changes-human-heart\/","title":{"rendered":"Pope Francis: Love alone attracts and changes the human heart"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

From Vatican News<\/a>
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\nSaint Paul reminds the Galatians \u2013 and us \u2013 that the centre of salvation and faith is the death and resurrection of the Lord, Pope Francis said at Wednesday\u2019s General Audience.<\/p>\n\n

The Pope warned that there are many people today \u201cwho still seek religious security rather than the living and true God, focusing on rituals and precepts instead of embracing God\u2019s love with their whole being.\u201d<\/p>\n\n

Return to what is essential<\/strong>
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\nSo, he said, St Paul asks the Galatians \u201cto return to what is essential, to the God who gives us life in Christ crucified.\u201d Pope Francis encourages us to \u201cplace ourselves in front of Christ crucified,\u201d including in Adoration of the Eucharist, when we feel we are losing the thread in our spiritual life.<\/p>\n\n

This leads to a further step, he continued: When we meet Christ crucified, Jesus changes our hearts, which leads us to understand that \u201cthe Gospel is meant for everyone, not just for a privileged few.\u201d Thus, the Pope said, \u201cthe life of the community is regenerated\u201d and through the Spirit, our lives as Christians are renewed, and we are able to continue \u201cto engage in our spiritual battle.\u201d<\/p>\n\n

Works of the flesh v. fruit of the Spirit<\/strong>
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\nHere Saint Paul presents a dichotomy between the \u201cworks of the flesh\u201d and the \u201cfruit of the Spirit.\u201d Pope Francis explained that the works of the flesh are \u201cbehaviours that are contrary to the Spirit of God. St Paul does not intend to say that the flesh is evil in itself, but uses the term to indicate the condition of being turned in on oneself, \u201cclosing the door to the spirit\u201d and reminding us that the things of the world grow old and pass away, \u201cwhile the Spirit gives life.\u201d<\/p>\n\n

Christians are called to live out our baptismal calling, which leads to the fruits of the Spirit: \u201clove, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.\u201d Pope Francis invited Christians to read Saint Paul and reflect on our own behaviour to see if we are bearing those fruits.<\/p>\n\n

A challenge for our communities<\/strong>
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\n\u201cThe Apostle\u2019s teaching poses quite a challenge for our communities, too,\u201d Pope Francis said. He explained, \u201cthe beauty of faith in Jesus Christ cannot be grasped on the basis of so many commandments or of a moral vision developed in many layers which can make us forget the original fruitfulness of love nourished by prayer from which peace and joyful witness flow.\u201d<\/p>\n\n

Nor, he said, can \u201cthe life of the Spirit \u2026 be suffocated by a bureaucracy that prevents access to the grace of the Spirit, the initiator of conversion of the heart.\u201d<\/p>\n\n

Proclaiming Christ crucified<\/strong>
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\nTherefore, Pope Francis said in conclusion, \u201cwe have the huge responsibility of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen, enlivened by the breath of the Spirit of love. For it is this Love alone that possesses the power to attract and change the human heart.\u201d<\/p>\n\n