I prefer a church which is bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the streets, rather than a church which is unhealthy from being confined and from clinging to its own security.
Interpretation
The quote expresses a preference for a church that actively engages with the world, embracing its imperfections, over one that remains safe but detached.
Pope Francis emphasizes the importance of being present in the world and connecting with those who are suffering. He suggests that a church that is 'bruised, hurting, and dirty' represents a community that participates in the struggles and realities of people's lives, reflecting genuine compassion and outreach. In contrast, a church that prioritizes its own comfort and security may lose sight of its purpose and cannot fulfill its mission of serving others.
In practice
During a sermon about community service, one might reference this quote to inspire action.
We are a church of sinners but we must not be afraid of holiness. Do not be afraid to aim for holiness and turn yourselves over to the love of God. Holiness does not mean performing extraordinary things but carrying out daily things in an extraordinary way that is with love, joy and faith.
I join the March for Life in Washington with my prayers. May God help us respect all life, especially the most vulnerable.
No one must say that they cannot be close to the poor because their own lifestyle demands more attention to other areas. This is an excuse commonly heard in academic, business or professional, and even ecclesial circles. While it is quite true that the essential vocation and mission of the lay faithful is to strive that earthly realities and all human activity may be transformed by the Gospel, none of us can think we are exempt from concern for the poor and for social justice
We face so many challenges in life: poverty, distress, humiliation, the struggle for justice, persecutions, the difficulty of daily conversion, the effort to remain faithful to our call to holiness, and many others. But if we open the door to Jesus and allow him to be part of our lives, if we share our joys and sorrows with him, then we will experience the peace and joy that only God, who is infinite love, can give.
More and more people work on Sundays as a consequence of the competitiveness imposed by a consumer society.
This Christmas may we be consistent in living the Gospel, welcoming Jesus into the centre of our lives.
Curtailment of free speech is rationalized on grounds that a more compelling American tradition forbids criticism of the government when the nation is at war... Nothing can be more destructive of our fundamental democratic traditions than the vicious effort to silence dissenters.
And lips say “God be pitiful,” Who ne'er said “God be praised.”
Am I a weed, carried this way, that way, on a tide that comes twice a day without a meaning?
Even faith in God is only a stage on the way. Ultimately you abandon all, for you come to something so simple that there are no words to express it.
The meaning of good and bad, of better and worse, is simply helping or hurting.
Old events have modern meanings; only that survives of past history which finds kindred in all hearts and lives.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.