IN DEFENCE OF POPE FRANCIS

There is criticism of Pope Frances because of a sermon he gave at Christmas.   He was talking about Joseph and Mary and remarked that they both had to strive to be saints since in life nobody was born one.    He was attacked as not understanding the Immaculate Conception which according to his critics meant that Mary was born a saint.   The Pope was pointing out that we too must strive to be saints just as they did.

But what of the Immaculate Conception question.    Yes Mary was born free from original sin and her soul was full of grace so she could overcome temptation much easier than other mortals but she was not free from temptation and like Eve who was also born immaculate she still COULD have sinned.   But as Jesus said to the crowd when the woman praised his mother for bearing him "No, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it" as Mary did.   She too in her way worked out her own salvation for she was not destined by God for a peaceful life.   From his birth she had to protect Jesus from his enemies and her voluntary suffering during is crucifixion meant that she proved worthy of the graces given to her, and indeed we must strive to save ourselves by the trials and temptations that come our way.   To be a saint we must all prove ourselves worthy of the love of God, and once we prove this we become saints.  


  






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