Pope Francis blasts 'anesthetized' Catholics who do nothing to help others and 'kill apostolic zeal'

Pope Francis had corrective words for "anesthetized" Catholics, saying their "attitude is crippling apostolic zeal." The Pope delivered these remarks during his homily at the Vatican chapel and guest house where he resides.

ROME, ITALY (Catholic Online) - "I think of many Christians, of many Catholics: yes, they are Catholics, but without enthusiasm, even embittered," Pope Francis told the congregants. "'Yes, life is what it is, but the Church - I go to Mass every Sunday, but better not get mixed up in things - I have faith for my health, I do not feel the need to give it to another.'. Each in his own house, the quiet life: but, you do something and then they criticize you: 'No, leave it alone, don't chance it.' This is the disease of sloth, the acedia of Christians. This attitude that is crippling the apostolic zeal, which makes Christian people stand still and at ease, but not in the good sense of the word: they do not bother to go out to proclaim the Gospel! They are anesthetized."

Pope Francis said that such Christians are "not useful" and that they lack "apostolic zeal." He referred to their attitude as "selfish" and "slothful."

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Pope Francis also criticized the sin of formalism, which is the strict adherence to procedures that comes at the cost of grace. He referred specifically to the example of Christ performing miracles on the Sabbath. "Christians, who do not leave space for the grace of God - and the Christian life, the life of these people, consists in having all the paperwork, all the certificates, in order," he explained.

"Christian hypocrites, like these, only interested in their formalities. It was a Sabbath? No, you cannot do miracles on the Sabbath, the grace of God cannot work on Sabbath days. They close the door to the grace of God. We have so many in the Church, we have many! It is another sin. The first, those who have the sin of sloth, are not able to go forward with their apostolic zeal, because they have decided to stand firm in themselves, in their sorrows, their resentments, in all of that. Such as these are not capable of bringing salvation because they close the door to salvation."

Pope Francis is looking to motivate Christians to action, first for themselves, that they may through 'Prayer' become closer to God and discern His will for their lives, and second for 'Action' that they may serve others as Christ serves them.

Pope Francis has called on all the world's Catholics to join him in a campaign of 'Prayer and Action' to end world hunger. So far, while many Catholics have responded, the response has fallen short of hopeful expectations and more effort is needed.

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Recently, an independent food aid organization reported to the United Nations that it was possible to eliminate world hunger by 2025, provided individuals do more to demand improved infrastructure, food distribution, and make personal efforts to reduce waste and share bounty.

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