Temptation-a constant in spiritual life-is an opportunity for Christians to remember that Jesus is close to them, supports them and lifts them up when they fall, Pope Francis said.
“We all have experienced this: that a bad thought comes into your head, a desire to do something, to speak ill of someone,” the pope said at his weekly general audience on 3rd January. “We are all tempted, and we must fight to not fall into these temptations.”
The pope asked the people packed into the Vatican audience hall: “If any of you don’t have temptations, say so, because it would be something extraordinary.” Continuing a new catechesis series on vices and virtues, which he had begun the previous week, Pope Francis said that while Jesus was not a sinner, his willingness to be baptised shows that the son of God accompanies humanity at all times, even when it is need of cleansing.
Jesus, he said, “does not embody the angry God and does not call for judgment but, on the contrary, he stands in line with sinners.” The pope said: “Jesus understands you and accompanies you, he understands your sin and forgives it.”
Picture: CNS photo/Vatican Media