Pope: Christianity means giving witness to Christ every day
May 6, 2014
by Carol Glatz, Catholic News Service
VATICAN CITY — Christianity is not a school of ideas or a collection of beautiful temples and lovely art; it is a living people who follow Jesus and give witness to him every day, Pope Francis said.
"Am I a Christian giving witness to Jesus or am I a simple numerary of this sect," unable to let the Holy Spirit "drive me forward in my Christian vocation?" he asked in his homily at Mass Tuesday in the Domus Sanctae Marthae, where he lives.
"A Christian who doesn't give witness is unfathomable," he said, according to a report by Vatican Radio.
"We are not a religion of ideas, of pure theology, of beautiful things and commandments.
"No, we are a people who follow Jesus Christ and give witness -- that is, want to give witness to Jesus Christ -- and this witness sometimes ends up being giving one's life," he said.
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In his homily, the pope looked at the martyrdom of St. Stephen, the first martyr of the church. Like Jesus, the saint was the object of jealous leaders who wanted to eliminate him and the target of false witnesses, the pope said.
But St. Stephen knew his accusers were resisting the Holy Spirit and he died, like Jesus, asking his persecutors be forgiven.
Those responsible for the martyr's death were filled with hate -- a hate that had been sown in their hearts by the devil, the pope said.
That is why, in one of the beatitudes, Jesus said, "blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you falsely because of me."
Being persecuted, becoming a martyr, giving one's life for Jesus are all reasons to rejoice because "the blood of martyrs is the seed of Christians," he said.
"The devil can't stand seeing the holiness of the church or the holiness of a person without trying to cause some kind of trouble," he said.
Giving witness always bears fruit, he said, whether it is just one's daily witness to Christ, witness during very difficult times, during persecution or witness that ends with death.
"The church bears fruit and is a mother when it gives witness to Jesus Christ."
The church becomes sterile when it closes up inside itself, when "it believes itself to be, let's say, a 'school of religion' with lots of beautiful ideas, with many beautiful temples, with many fine museums, with many gorgeous things."
Christians who don't give to others the new life they've been given by Christ remain "sterile," he said.
But people need the help of the Holy Spirit, especially in difficult moments, when faced with hard choices or when tempted by the many things "we have to say, 'no' to," he said.
Pray to the Holy Spirit who "makes us strong in order to take the path of witness."
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Talking About Jesus (What is Christian Witness All About?)
Jun 19, 2015
What does it mean to be a Christian witness? Sadly there are some faulty understandings of what this means, and believers can go to various extremes here. We often have quite a distorted view of what it means to be a Christian witness in a secular society.
Trying to define something like Christian music might be one way to introduce this issue of Christian witness. Just what exactly is Christian music? Is it Christian music when:
-a Christian sings Amazing Grace?
-a non-Christian sings Amazing Grace?
-a Christian plays an instrumental version of Amazing Grace?
-a Christian sings a non-Christian song?
Hopefully you get my drift. I for one do not think a Christian singer has to sing a Christian song or quote the Bible every single time to be called a Christian singer and a Christian witness. In the same way, a Christian barber, a Christian baseball player, or a Christian engineer need not mention Jesus in every breath to be a good Christian witness in his or her profession.
Christian witness of course involves words, but it also involves our very life. The way we live will back up – or not back up – our Christian words. So both are important. But let me discuss more this idea that a Christian should in every utterance share his faith or quote a text like John 3:16.
Christians are of course evangelistic – or we are supposed to be. We are commanded to tell the whole world about Jesus and his work on the cross to reconcile us to God. All that is a given, and far too many believers never share their faith or never take an opportunity to publicly proclaim Jesus.
That is a real shame, and Jesus has strong words about that, as for example in Luke 9:26: “Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.”
However, there can be another error that believers fall into: the idea that every time they open their mouth they must talk about Jesus or must quote a Bible verse. The simple rule of thumb here is this: we should be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading, and be open to sharing when and where possible.
But care must be taken about sharing one’s faith, especially for example when one is being paid to do a job. If you get a new job, start witnessing, and immediately get fired, and then repeat this scenario over and over again, guess what? You are being a bad witness then, not a good one.
You are damaging your witness, not enhancing it. Doing a good job for your employer is part of having a solid Christian witness and testimony. Being good, dedicated and diligent at any profession is also being a good witness. Being a great baseball player as a Christian or a good used car salesman is all a part of the Christian witness.
One need not open one’s mouth every minute to be a good Christian. Sure, if an opportunity arises while buying petrol or getting groceries, then go for it. But one need not feel guilty if one does not share the gospel 24/7. Sometimes a kind smile to a wearied check-out girl can be a real blessing and witness.
Learning the language of Babylon
But let me finish here by talking about those of us on the frontlines, who deal with the secular public and the secular media on a regular basis. Must we talk about Jesus every time we speak into a microphone or address an audience? I think not.
The truth is, to deal with the secular world and the secular media, we need to build bridges. We need to speak their language and find some common ground where possible. The Apostle Paul did exactly this. When dealing with the pagans in Athens for example he quoted pagan poets and philosophers in order to reach them. He did not begin by quoting Scripture.
Christian apologetics operates this way today as well. We seek to reach the lost in any way possible, and prepare them for the gospel message. When they are ready, then we can use Scripture much more freely. But when engaging in a moral or social issue with the media, one should seek to be well versed on the topic and deal with the arguments as they come.
Thus when I discuss something like homosexuality with the secular MSM I can cite studies showing the health risks, and can speak of the right of children to have a mother and a father, and so on. I need not quote a Bible verse all the time.
In fact I have done around 1000 media interviews over the years, expressing biblical truth in non-biblical language. Had I felt the need to quote scripture every time, I would likely have had only a handful of interviews, then been banned for good. So we need a bit of wisdom here, and not just be armchair critics of those seeking to be a public voice for biblical values.
I raise all this because last night Fred Nile did a great job defending biblical truth and values as he was outnumbered, outgunned and attacked on the appalling ABC show, Q&A. I discuss his performance here: billmuehlenberg.com/2015/06/18/we-pay-for-this-abc-bias-and-bigotry/
Yet I actually had other Christians attack Fred, saying he let the side down and he just should have quoted Scripture! These armchair critics think they know it all, yet they have never faced what Fred or I have been through hundreds of times. The simple truth is, had he just thrown Scripture around he would not have even been invited on to the show.
The same with me. The reason the media knows they can approach me is because I am informed on the topics, I am articulate, I present the social science evidence as best I can, and I do not Bible-bash. Sure, if and when opportunities arise, I am more than happy to share Scripture.
Of course if the topic is on the Bible or religion, then this is where you are free to do so. But if a media outlet asks for your thoughts on, say, human cloning or Assisted Reproductive Technologies, you will get nowhere – and not be invited back – if you just start throwing John 3:16 at them.
The simple truth is, every time we open our mouth need not be an evangelistic opportunity. Let’s get real here. If I am stopped by someone and asked which way to the zoo, I am helping that person by providing accurate directions, not by preaching to them a sermon.
If the opportunity arises for more conversation, and a chance to share the gospel, then fine. But we can simply answer questions or offer help without feeling guilty about not always tossing in biblical references. As to the Q&A show, Fred was asked on to share on some issues pertaining to homosexuality and marriage.
He was not invited on to preach a sermon or give a Bible exposition. He nonetheless expressed biblical truth all night. He was being wise as a servant and harmless as a dove as Jesus commanded. He did a terrific job, and his rather arrogant and self-righteous critics really need to ease up here.
Indeed, those who want to criticise Fred or me on this should really keep quiet until they have done as much public defending of the faith as he and I have done thanks. These armchair critics are a dime a dozen, and they have likely never been on the frontlines in public as some of us have, yet they are all so happy to judge us and cast stones.
And bear in mind that all this has absolutely nothing to do with being ashamed of the gospel of course. As mentioned, it is about being wise and discerning as to how best to share biblical truth, and how best to be a Christian witness at all times and in all places.
Sometimes the most appropriate thing to do is share the gospel, quote the Word, and press in for an evangelistic decision. But sometimes that is not as appropriate, especially for those who have a very public ministry and deal with the secular media all the time.
And this works in other areas as well. Critics have also dumped on the Canberra Declaration since it is not loaded with Scripture and evangelistic material. But that is not the purpose of it. As an author of this document, we wanted to appeal to the wider community on the importance of three things: the life issues, marriage and family, and freedom of speech.
By writing it as we did, it has widespread support from all sorts of people, including plenty of non-Christians, with nearly 60,000 people signing on to it. That is just what we wanted. We were not being bad Christians for proceeding this way, nor were we ashamed of Scripture. We just had a different calling in regard to that document. You can see it here: www.canberradeclaration.org.au/
So we need a bit of godly wisdom in all this. While we should always be prepared to share our faith and biblical texts, not all opportunities are best suited for this. As I say, had I done this three decades ago with the secular media folk, they would have given me the flick a long time ago.
But I have had countless chances to share biblical truth in non-biblical language because I have sought to be careful and wise here. Sometimes I end up sharing the gospel with those journalists anyway. But even if they did not get a John 3:16 out of me every time, they certainly knew where I stood, and often came back for more.
So let us be careful when we consider just what exactly Christian ministry is. Those who argue that it is only about lifestyle and never about words are simply wrong, and I address that error here: billmuehlenberg.com/2011/12/15/if-necessary-use-words/
But those who think we must forever be quoting Scripture and pressing for a conversion every time we meet someone may be erring in the other direction, although I applaud those who are zealous to share their faith. It depends on the context, the situation and the opportunity. Let us pray for discernment and Holy Ghost wisdom in all this.
[1745 words]
==============
EVANGELISM PRINCIPLES
How to Help People on Their Spiritual Journeys
Faith Eng 4 Minute Read
Testimony, Share Your Faith
When Jesus changes your life, it’s natural to want to share that hope with the people around you.
Here are five ways you can share your faith more effectively.
Christians are of course evangelistic – or we are supposed to be. We are commanded to tell the whole world about Jesus and his work on the cross to reconcile us to God. All that is a given, and far too many believers never share their faith or never take an opportunity to publicly proclaim Jesus.
That is a real shame, and Jesus has strong words about that, as for example in Luke 9:26: “Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.”
However, there can be another error that believers fall into: the idea that every time they open their mouth they must talk about Jesus or must quote a Bible verse. The simple rule of thumb here is this: we should be sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading, and be open to sharing when and where possible.
But care must be taken about sharing one’s faith, especially for example when one is being paid to do a job. If you get a new job, start witnessing, and immediately get fired, and then repeat this scenario over and over again, guess what? You are being a bad witness then, not a good one.
You are damaging your witness, not enhancing it. Doing a good job for your employer is part of having a solid Christian witness and testimony. Being good, dedicated and diligent at any profession is also being a good witness. Being a great baseball player as a Christian or a good used car salesman is all a part of the Christian witness.
One need not open one’s mouth every minute to be a good Christian. Sure, if an opportunity arises while buying petrol or getting groceries, then go for it. But one need not feel guilty if one does not share the gospel 24/7. Sometimes a kind smile to a wearied check-out girl can be a real blessing and witness.
Learning the language of Babylon
But let me finish here by talking about those of us on the frontlines, who deal with the secular public and the secular media on a regular basis. Must we talk about Jesus every time we speak into a microphone or address an audience? I think not.
The truth is, to deal with the secular world and the secular media, we need to build bridges. We need to speak their language and find some common ground where possible. The Apostle Paul did exactly this. When dealing with the pagans in Athens for example he quoted pagan poets and philosophers in order to reach them. He did not begin by quoting Scripture.
Christian apologetics operates this way today as well. We seek to reach the lost in any way possible, and prepare them for the gospel message. When they are ready, then we can use Scripture much more freely. But when engaging in a moral or social issue with the media, one should seek to be well versed on the topic and deal with the arguments as they come.
Thus when I discuss something like homosexuality with the secular MSM I can cite studies showing the health risks, and can speak of the right of children to have a mother and a father, and so on. I need not quote a Bible verse all the time.
In fact I have done around 1000 media interviews over the years, expressing biblical truth in non-biblical language. Had I felt the need to quote scripture every time, I would likely have had only a handful of interviews, then been banned for good. So we need a bit of wisdom here, and not just be armchair critics of those seeking to be a public voice for biblical values.
I raise all this because last night Fred Nile did a great job defending biblical truth and values as he was outnumbered, outgunned and attacked on the appalling ABC show, Q&A. I discuss his performance here: billmuehlenberg.com/2015/06/18/we-pay-for-this-abc-bias-and-bigotry/
Yet I actually had other Christians attack Fred, saying he let the side down and he just should have quoted Scripture! These armchair critics think they know it all, yet they have never faced what Fred or I have been through hundreds of times. The simple truth is, had he just thrown Scripture around he would not have even been invited on to the show.
The same with me. The reason the media knows they can approach me is because I am informed on the topics, I am articulate, I present the social science evidence as best I can, and I do not Bible-bash. Sure, if and when opportunities arise, I am more than happy to share Scripture.
Of course if the topic is on the Bible or religion, then this is where you are free to do so. But if a media outlet asks for your thoughts on, say, human cloning or Assisted Reproductive Technologies, you will get nowhere – and not be invited back – if you just start throwing John 3:16 at them.
The simple truth is, every time we open our mouth need not be an evangelistic opportunity. Let’s get real here. If I am stopped by someone and asked which way to the zoo, I am helping that person by providing accurate directions, not by preaching to them a sermon.
If the opportunity arises for more conversation, and a chance to share the gospel, then fine. But we can simply answer questions or offer help without feeling guilty about not always tossing in biblical references. As to the Q&A show, Fred was asked on to share on some issues pertaining to homosexuality and marriage.
He was not invited on to preach a sermon or give a Bible exposition. He nonetheless expressed biblical truth all night. He was being wise as a servant and harmless as a dove as Jesus commanded. He did a terrific job, and his rather arrogant and self-righteous critics really need to ease up here.
Indeed, those who want to criticise Fred or me on this should really keep quiet until they have done as much public defending of the faith as he and I have done thanks. These armchair critics are a dime a dozen, and they have likely never been on the frontlines in public as some of us have, yet they are all so happy to judge us and cast stones.
And bear in mind that all this has absolutely nothing to do with being ashamed of the gospel of course. As mentioned, it is about being wise and discerning as to how best to share biblical truth, and how best to be a Christian witness at all times and in all places.
Sometimes the most appropriate thing to do is share the gospel, quote the Word, and press in for an evangelistic decision. But sometimes that is not as appropriate, especially for those who have a very public ministry and deal with the secular media all the time.
And this works in other areas as well. Critics have also dumped on the Canberra Declaration since it is not loaded with Scripture and evangelistic material. But that is not the purpose of it. As an author of this document, we wanted to appeal to the wider community on the importance of three things: the life issues, marriage and family, and freedom of speech.
By writing it as we did, it has widespread support from all sorts of people, including plenty of non-Christians, with nearly 60,000 people signing on to it. That is just what we wanted. We were not being bad Christians for proceeding this way, nor were we ashamed of Scripture. We just had a different calling in regard to that document. You can see it here: www.canberradeclaration.org.au/
So we need a bit of godly wisdom in all this. While we should always be prepared to share our faith and biblical texts, not all opportunities are best suited for this. As I say, had I done this three decades ago with the secular media folk, they would have given me the flick a long time ago.
But I have had countless chances to share biblical truth in non-biblical language because I have sought to be careful and wise here. Sometimes I end up sharing the gospel with those journalists anyway. But even if they did not get a John 3:16 out of me every time, they certainly knew where I stood, and often came back for more.
So let us be careful when we consider just what exactly Christian ministry is. Those who argue that it is only about lifestyle and never about words are simply wrong, and I address that error here: billmuehlenberg.com/2011/12/15/if-necessary-use-words/
But those who think we must forever be quoting Scripture and pressing for a conversion every time we meet someone may be erring in the other direction, although I applaud those who are zealous to share their faith. It depends on the context, the situation and the opportunity. Let us pray for discernment and Holy Ghost wisdom in all this.
[1745 words]
==============
EVANGELISM PRINCIPLES
How to Help People on Their Spiritual Journeys
Faith Eng 4 Minute Read
Testimony, Share Your Faith
When Jesus changes your life, it’s natural to want to share that hope with the people around you.
Here are five ways you can share your faith more effectively.
1. Explore Through Questions
Asking good questions and listening well are important skills for sharing your faith.
Take time to get to know people and find out about their spiritual journeys. Focus more on listening to someone’s story and figuring out where that person is spiritually than on getting through a gospel presentation.
Jesus was a master of using questions. See Luke 5 and Matthew 11 to read about how Jesus used thoughtful questions to teach the people.
2. Guide People Toward Jesus by Sharing Your Story
When you ask good questions and listen well, it often leads to opportunities to share your experience and what you believe.
“And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it” (1 Peter 3:15, NLT).
One way to be prepared is to learn to tell your spiritual story. This can be the story of how you became a Christian or it can be the story of how God changed you in a particular area of life.
Here’s a resource that will help you be prepared to share your story.
3. Guide People Toward Jesus by Sharing the Gospel
Whether you’re sharing about God’s forgiveness and love through your personal story or you just want to share the foundational message of the Bible, be ready to tell someone how to become a Christian.
Check out God Tools and these other free apps that will give you access to the “Knowing God Personally” booklet and other tools to share your faith in a way that’s easy for people to understand.
4. Build Bridges Over People’s Obstacles and Objections
Building bridges over someone’s obstacles and objections takes love, wisdom and prayer. Remember that there may be more to a question than what’s on the surface.
Someone may say, “I can’t believe in God because there is too much suffering in the world.” You can present the best rational argument about the reason for suffering, but it won’t make a difference if that person’s true obstacle is that a loved one died a violent death.
People need to know that believing in God doesn’t require them to abandon their intellect, but they also need to know that God loves them and cares about their personal struggles.
Remember that you’re not trying to win an argument, you’re trying to invite people into a relationship with God.
5. Mentor People to Help Them Grow in Their Faith
It’s exciting to see people put their faith in Jesus, but that isn’t the end of the journey. In fact, it’s just the beginning of the exciting adventure of the Christian life. When people decide to follow Jesus, they need other Christians to continue to come alongside them so they can learn more about their new faith and how to grow closer to God.
Learn more about conversational evangelism and the CoJourners paradigm for sharing your faith.
RELATED TOPICS:Testimony Share Your Faith
======
Witnessing
Related Content
Related Topics
Witnessing is telling others about the forgiveness, love, deliverance, empowering, fruitful life and ministry, etc., that you have found in Jesus.
Jesus' last instructions to His disciples before He ascended to His Father were in relation to witnessing. He commissioned them to make disciples as they went into all the world, and to baptize and teach them. He promised them that when they received the Holy Spirit they would be powerful witnesses of Him. The Lord will confirm your witness, just as He did the witness of His apostles with signs following (Mark 16:20; Matthew 28:19, 20).
What Scripture Says
"Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age" (Matthew 28:19, 20).
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).
"I tell you the miracles themselves. I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father" (John 14:12).
"He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you" (John 16:14).
Counsel
You are a witness. When a person has experienced the forgiveness of his sins, he is then able to witness or give testimony to the salvation that is mentioned in Ephesians 4:11, but it puts you in the same place as those who were witnesses in the early church. They said, "For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:20). You are able to witness about Jesus, for you have met Him personally.
God's desire is that everyone, worldwide, be reconciled to Him and He has given Christians the "word of reconciliation." That privilege uniquely belongs to all who have believed in Christ (II Corinthians 5:19).
The authority to witness is from Jesus (Matthew 28:19, 20). The power and boldness to witness is given as a result of the work of the Holy Spirit (Mark 16:17-20; Acts 1:8). The willingness to witness is a decision each one must make. The message to share is the simple truth that "God loves you. Jesus saves all who come to Him in repentance of sin and who have faith in Him. He gives life (John 10:10), equips for living through the Holy Spirit, and He is coming again."
Your own testimony is the best witness you can share. It is not just teaching Bible truths. It is "being" a product of those truths. In other words, don't just say it -- be and do it. Allow the Holy Spirit to produce within you the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, meekness, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, patience and self-control, thereby "becoming" what you are witnessing to.
As You Pray
Pray that God will fill you with the Holy Spirit, equipping you for witnessing. You may have to pray to be released from bondages of fear or feelings of not knowing enough or not being good enough to share Jesus with others. The general direction of prayer should be that you want to be bold and free to share your faith whomever may be open to your witness during your daily life.
Ask God each morning to lead you to someone to whom you can witness. Expect Him to do so. As you read God's Word, ask Him to give you a message that day for someone who needs your witness.
References/Homework
The Guilt of Man
- Psalms 14:3
- Ecclesiastes 7:20
Separation from God
- Romans 5:10
- James 4:4
- Colossians 1:21
God's Judgement upon the Ungodly
- 2 Thessalonians 1:8, 9
- 2 Peter 3:7
God's Provision for Man
- 1 Timothy 2:5
- Hebrews 12:24
- John 4:16
- Acts 4:12
Forgiveness
- Ephesians 4:32
- 1 John 2:12
- Acts 5:31
- Acts 13:38
- Acts 26:18
Cleansing
- Isaiah 1:18
- 1 John 1:7
- Revelation 7:14
Justification
- Acts 13:39
- Romans 3:24
- Romans 8:30
- Titus 3:7
By Grace
- Ephesians 2:8, 9
- Titus 2:11
- Titus 3:4-7
- Romans 3:34
Stay in Jesus
- John 15
Witness in Love
- 1 Corinthians 13
=========================
Christian witness requires action, pope says during parish visit
1.15.2017 1:25 PM ET
ROME (CNS) -- Being a real Christian does not mean being a saint, but giving witness to Jesus in word and, especially, deed, Pope Francis told members of a parish on the eastern edge of Rome.
Spending more than three hours Jan. 15 at the parish of St. Mary in the Setteville neighborhood, Pope Francis had the same basic message for the children and youths as he did for the parish as a whole: "Christian witness is done with three things: words, the heart and the hands."
As is his custom for parish visits in the Diocese of Rome, Pope Francis arrived in the late afternoon and held separate meetings with the children and teenagers from the religious education program and Scout groups; with the parents of the 45 babies baptized in the parish over the past year; with a group of parishioners who are sick or have disabilities; and with the parish council and more than 100 parishioners active in parish activities.
Before celebrating Mass, he heard the confessions of four parishioners. The Vatican press office said they were the young couple who care for the 50-year-old assistant pastor, who has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; a young man from the parish post-confirmation program; and the father of a sick child.
In response to the questions of the parish young people, Pope Francis insisted, "If I say I am Catholic and go to Mass every Sunday with my parents, but I don't speak (about Jesus), I don't help my grandparents, don't help the poor, don't visit the sick, then it is not witness and it is useless."
"It is nothing other than being a parrot-Christian -- words, words, words," he said. Christian witness requires action.
Celebrating Mass with a standing-room-only congregation and hundreds of people watching on jumbo screens outside, Pope Francis focused on the witness of St. John the Baptist, who pointed to Jesus as the Messiah.
Many of the first people to follow Jesus, including some of the first apostles, had been followers of St. John the Baptist. "How did they meet Jesus?" the pope asked. "Because there was a witness," who told them Jesus was the one. "It is the same in our lives."
Faith is not like being "the fan of a team" or "having a philosophy" or just following a set of rules, he said. "Being a Christian is first of all giving witness to Jesus."
Christianity has spread throughout the world because people have given witness in word and deed to Jesus as savior. Sometimes, he said, the witness was given in small ways and other times through the great witness of martyrdom.
"The apostles didn't take a course to learn to be witnesses of Jesus," the pope said. Instead, they followed him and listened to him and tried to imitate him.
"But they were sinners," he said. "All 12 of them" as the Gospels recount. They experienced pride and jealousy and "when Jesus was taken, they all ran away."
"Peter -- the first pope -- denied Jesus," he said. But they were witnesses to Jesus because they recognized their sinfulness and that their salvation came not from anything they did, but from Jesus' love and sacrifice. "They allowed themselves to be saved."
"Being a witness does not mean being a saint, but being a poor man or poor woman who says, 'Yes, I am a sinner, but Jesus is lord and I will try to witness to him every day and to correct my life and follow the correct path,'" he said.
One sin the Gospels did not accuse the apostles of, the pope said, is gossip. "They didn't speak ill of each other."
"Do you want a perfect parish?" Pope Francis asked the people. "Then no gossip. None. If you have something against another, tell him or her directly."
The pope returned to the theme at the end of Mass. After final blessing, he told them, "Don't forget to pray for me and no gossip."
