Vatican City, Apr 9, 2025 / 09:44 am (CNA).
Pope Francis on Wednesday highlighted the need to overcome the “logic of merit” to be a committed follower of Jesus Christ and to trust more in God’s gratuitous love.
Continuing his jubilee catechesis series “Jesus Christ Our Hope” on the life of Jesus, the pope wrote a reflection on Chapter 10 of St. Mark’s Gospel when Christ encounters a rich young man with a “fine resume” of good deeds.
“He is a man who has observed the commandments ever since his youth but who, despite this, has not yet found the meaning of his life,” the Holy Father wrote in his April 9 catechesis.
“Perhaps he is one who has not yet truly made up his mind, despite his appearance as a committed person,“ he continued.
Commenting that “eternal life” is not “obtained by right” or “through meticulous observance of commitments,” the 88-year-old pope emphasized that a loving relationship with God and with others is key for a happy and fulfilling life on earth and also in heaven.
“Indeed, beyond the things we do, our sacrifices and successes, what truly counts in order to be happy is what we carry in our heart,” the Holy Father said.
In his catechesis, the pope invited his readers to consider God’s love as a gift he desires to share with others and not merely as a reward he grants to those who carry out good works.
“Jesus’ love is gratuitous: exactly the opposite of the logic of merit that has beset this person,” he said. “We are truly happy when we realize we are loved in this way, freely, by grace.”
“This also applies to the relationships between us: as long as we try to buy love or beg for affection, those relationships will never make us feel happy,” he added.
To make “our hearts freer” to accept the proposal of Jesus to follow him, the Holy Father said it is necessary to take a look inside our hearts and give our wounds and weaknesses to the God who wants to heal us.
“Perhaps today, precisely because we live in a culture of self-sufficiency and individualism, we find ourselves more unhappy because we no longer hear our name spoken by someone who loves us freely,” the pope shared in his catechesis.
Noting the sadness of the young man who refused Jesus’ offer to be his disciple and follow him, the pope said to be aware that “what we think are riches” could be “only burdens that are holding us back.”
The Holy Father concluded his Wednesday catechesis with a prayer, entrusting “all people who are sad and undecided” to the Heart of Jesus “so that they may feel the loving gaze of the Lord.”
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Beware of seeking salvation “through meticulous observance of commitments”, says Francis. Lest we fall headlong into the trap of meritorious charity? “Indeed, beyond the things we do, our sacrifices and successes, what truly counts in order to be happy is what we carry in our heart”. What might that be?
“Jesus’ love is gratuitous: exactly the opposite of the logic of merit that has beset this person. We are truly happy when we realize we are loved in this way, freely, by grace.” So, despite what Christ said to the young rich man, “Sell all that you have and give it to the poor, then come and follow me”, His Holiness assures us God loves us whatever.
But our priests have been assuring us for years now that God loves us whatever. And still the pews continue to be increasingly vacant.
The logic of demerit does not gain heaven, either.
Intended anti-merit and intended convolutions of merit would reach to mortal sin under the 8th and 3rd; and if you’re a priest or it involves religion, 1st and 2nd.
Unintended, it could amount to folly that the Lord condemned.
Elucidating mis-fancies not taking jabs at Pope Francis: this area needs development and it is not happening and it won’t happen right under the likes of James Martin in the present. Nor is it going to come out right by following the composition of the Joint Statement.
Life is short and sweet. “Winner takes it all” – Where?
Heresies can last centuries and spread bitterness. You sound perfectly unready and completely vulnerable as one liking to be unready and vulnerable. Good for you.