In his daily homily for Mass at the Santa Marta residence, Pope Francis urged the faithful against living as lukewarm pagans who are merely Christian in name, for these are “enemies of the Cross.”
Reflecting on the day’s reading from Paul to the Philippians, the Holy Father spoke of two types of Christians: those who advance in their faith, and those who behave as “enemies of the Cross of Christ.”
Pope Francis condemned this latter group as “Christian pagans,” describing them as “worldly, Christian in name,” but living a “pagan life.” They are “pagans with two strokes of Christian paint, in order to appear as Christians.”
There are my Christians today who live out their faith in this way, the Holy Father said. He warned the faithful to be attentive so as to not become like these “Christian pagans,” who are merely “Christians in appearance.”
The downfall of such Christians is their mediocrity, he continued, for their hearts become lukewarm. “Because you are lukewarm, I vomit you from my mouth” the Pope said, citing the Lord’s words against lukewarm Christians.
“They are enemies of the Cross of Christ. They take the name (Christian), but do not follow the demands of a Christian life.”
Continuing his reflection on Saint Paul, Pope Francis said these Christians “are citizens of the world,” not of Heaven…Read More
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