Pope Francis: Don't be Backseat Christians





May 16, 2013. (Romereports.com) During Thursday's morning Mass, Pope Francis
reflected on the apostolic zeal of St. Paul. The Pope invited Christians to follow the apostle's example by living out the faith publicly and with courage. He also called on faithful to not be so called 'backseat Christians.'

POPE FRANCIS
“There are backseat Christians, right? Those who are well mannered and do everything well, but they don't know how to bring others to the Church through proclamation and Apostolic zeal. Today we can ask the Holy Spirit to give us all this Apostolic fervor and to give us the grace to be annoying when things are too calm in the Church. The grace to go out to the outskirts of life. The Church needs this! Not only in distant lands, young parishes or among people who do not know Jesus, but here in the cities. Our cities need this proclamation of Jesus Christ. So let us ask the Holy Spirit for the grace of Apostolic zeal. Let’s be Christians with Apostolic zeal. And if we annoy people, Blessed be the Lord! Onwards, as the Lord says to St. Paul: show courage!"

Among those attending the Mass was Cardinal Peter Turkson, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and Vatican Radio employees.

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