“Because of the increase of iniquity, the love of many will grow cold” - Pope Francis

[MariaChristi]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Pope Francis’ Lenten Message for 2018 begins:

Once again, the Pasch of the Lord draws near! In our preparation for Easter, God in his providence offers us each year the season of Lent as a “sacramental sign of our conversion”. Lent summons us, and enables us, to come back to the Lord wholeheartedly and in every aspect of our life.

With this message, I would like again this year to help the entire Church experience this time of grace anew, with joy and in truth. I will take my cue from the words of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew: “Because of the increase of iniquity, the love of many will grow cold” (24:12). (Emphasis is mine)

These words appear in Christ’s preaching about the end of time. They were spoken in Jerusalem, on the Mount of Olives, where the Lord’s passion would begin. In reply to a question of the disciples, Jesus foretells a great tribulation and describes a situation in which the community of believers might well find itself: amid great trials, false prophets would lead people astray and the love that is the core of the Gospel would grow cold in the hearts of many…

I was grateful to read his warning against “False prophets”; “A cold heart”; and his question: “What are we to do?” These are important points to ponder. In his final section entitled “The fire of Easter”, Pope Francis wrote:

…Above all, I urge the members of the Church to take up the Lenten journey with enthusiasm, sustained by almsgiving, fasting and prayer. If, at times, the flame of charity seems to die in our own hearts, know that this is never the case in the heart of God! He constantly gives us a chance to begin loving anew.… (Emphasis is mine)

The full text can be read HERE

 

[Rhubarb]

I’d like to buy that man a steak dinner. After lent, of course.

 

[Cruciferi]

(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)
No better time than the present!

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear Rhubarb,

Thanks for your reply. Glad you added “after lent, of course”. I know humor is a good thing, but… I’m still pondering some of the Pope’s more serious points.

 

[steve-b]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Pope Francis’ Lenten Message for 2018 begins:

Once again, the Pasch of the Lord draws near! In our preparation for Easter, God in his providence offers us each year the season of Lent as a “sacramental sign of our conversion”. Lent summons us, and enables us, to come back to the Lord wholeheartedly and in every aspect of our life.

With this message, I would like again this year to help the entire Church experience this time of grace anew, with joy and in truth. I will take my cue from the words of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew: “Because of the increase of iniquity, the love of many will grow cold” (24:12). (Emphasis is mine)

These words appear in Christ’s preaching about the end of time. They were spoken in Jerusalem, on the Mount of Olives, where the Lord’s passion would begin. In reply to a question of the disciples, Jesus foretells a great tribulation and describes a situation in which the community of believers might well find itself: amid great trials, false prophets would lead people astray and the love that is the core of the Gospel would grow cold in the hearts of many…

Jesus said

“Because of the increase of iniquity, the love of many will grow cold”

as a result, THAT is why Jesus also said, few are saved.

 

[MariaChristi]

Dear Steve,

Thanks for your reply. In Luke 13:23, the word “saved” is in the question asked of Jesus. Jesus then gives his answer:

Luke 13:23 23
Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” He answered them,
24
“Strive to enter through the narrow door, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.
25
After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking and saying, ‘Lord, open the door for us.’ He will say to you in reply, ‘I do not know where you are from.’
26
And you will say, ‘We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.’
27
Then he will say to you, ‘I do not know where [you] are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!’
28
And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves cast out.
29
And people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at table in the kingdom of God.
30
For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”

Certainly it is for us to do as Jesus said: ““Strive to enter through the narrow door, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough…” Lent is an opportunity for us, by God’s Grace to begin anew.

 

[steve-b]

Dear Steve,

Thanks for your reply. In Luke 13:23, the word “saved” is in the question asked of Jesus. Jesus then gives his answer:

Luke 13:23 23
Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” He answered them,
24
“Strive to enter through the narrow door, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough.
25
After the master of the house has arisen and locked the door, then will you stand outside knocking and saying, ‘Lord, open the door for us.’ He will say to you in reply, ‘I do not know where you are from.’
26
And you will say, ‘We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.’
27
Then he will say to you, ‘I do not know where [you] are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!’
28
And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves cast out.
29
And people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at table in the kingdom of God.
30
For behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”

True

 

[MariaChristi]

Thanks Steve,

Truth is very important to me, and a smiley face, when it is true, is nice too!