General Audience: Faith, Hope, and Love, Antidotes to Self-Sufficiency

At the general audience, Pope Francis focused on the three theological virtues, the “fundamental attitudes” that characterize the life of Jesus’ disciples: “The Christian is never alone”, it is necessary “to free ourselves from that sometimes too cumbersome presence that is our ego “.

Adriana Mazzotti – The Vatican

At the traditional general audience with the faithful and pilgrims in Rome, Pope Francis continued the series of catechetical talks dedicated to the vices and virtues that have been the subject of his reflections during these weeks. Having in previous weeks stopped his attention on the four cardinal virtues: prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance, today his thoughts turned to the three theological virtues: faith, hope and love, which “characterize the life of Christians” and are “pledge of the presence and operation of the Holy Spirit’ in them. Therefore, the disciple of Jesus is not a hero and is “never alone.”

General audience of Pope Francis

The cardinal virtues, the foundation of the good life

The cardinal virtues, a legacy of ancient thought, are the cornerstones of the moral life, that is, of the “good life.” Even before Christ, the Pope explained, values such as honesty, wisdom, courage and moderation were present. “This heritage of humanity,” he notes, “has not been replaced by Christianity, but has been brought into sharp focus, valorized, refined, and integrated.”

Therefore, in the heart of every man and woman exists the ability to seek the good. The Holy Spirit is given so that those who receive it can clearly distinguish good from evil, have the power to cling to good while avoiding evil, and thereby achieve full realization.

General audience of Pope Francis

The theological virtues, a gift of the Spirit

But the Christian – highlighted the Pope has an additional advantage, “special help from the Spirit of Jesus Christ”, through the gift of the three virtues: faith, hope and love, called theological, “because they are accepted and live in the relationship with God”. The Pope quoted their definition given by the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

These are the virtues which have as their origin, cause and purpose God Himself. Invested in man with sanctifying grace, they make him capable of living in relation to the Trinity, ground and move the Christian’s moral life, enliven human virtues. They are a pledge of the presence and work of the Holy Spirit in human capacities.

General audience of Pope Francis

Not heroes, but students

The presence of the Spirit introduces a radical difference, Francis pointed out: while the observance of the cardinal virtues can create heroes in their efforts to do good, “the Christian is never alone. He does good – the Pope declared – not for a titanic effort of personal commitment, but because, as a humble disciple, he follows the Master Jesus”.

The Christian possesses the theological virtues, which are the great antidote to self-sufficiency. How often men and women designated as morally blameless run the risk of becoming, in the eyes of those who know them, conceited and arrogant! (…) Pride – arrogance – is a poison, it is a powerful poison: just one drop is enough to ruin a whole life characterized by goodness.

General audience of Pope Francis

Help to overcome difficult times

The good, the Pope also stated, has precise characteristics, “it is not only a goal, but also a path.” Among the characteristics are discretion and courtesy, but above all the removal of “that sometimes too unwieldy presence that is our ego.” No one – warned the Pope – is exempt from falls and mistakes, and therefore the theological virtues are of great help in difficult situations

If we have lost trust, God opens us up to faith again by the power of the Spirit; if we are discouraged, God awakens hope in us; if our heart is hardened, God softens it with his love.