The Way of Humility: Corruption and Sin; On Self-Accusation, by Jorge Mrio Bergoglio. Ignatius
Press, 2013.
This small book offers short reflections on humility, corruption and sin, and self accusation. It was written while Pope Francis was cardinal archbishop of Buenos Aires and
intended for an introduction to humility as needed to form Christian communities.
When he wrote these reflections, he was living in a country suffering from the sad results of corruption in public and private life. He shows the connection between sin and corruption, and how pride and self-sufficiency lead from one to another. In a way, he is showing the roots of the themes he so often enunciates as Pope.
Corruption and sin are different but related topics, but both can be overcome by the humility needed for self-accusation, which translates into admitting the truth about oneself. Humility is the solution.
Bergoglio draws heavily on Scripture and the teachings of Christ, both of which offer simple, profound, and practical wisdom.
"It will do us good to shake up our souls with the prophetic force of the Gospel, which places us in the truth about things by stirring up the layers of fallen dead leaves of human weakness and complicity that can create the conditions for
corruption.......It will do us good to say to one another again, 'Yes, I am a sinner; but no, I'm not corrupt'."
Veronica's desire to be like Christ crucified was answered with the stigmata.
Veronica was born in Mercatelli, Italy. It is said that when her mother Benedetta was dying she called her five daughters to her bedside and entrusted each of them to one of the five wounds of Jesus. Veronica was entrusted to the wound below Christ's heart.
At the age of 17, Veronica joined the Poor Clares directed by the Capuchins. Her father had wanted her to
marry, but she convinced him to allow her to become a nun. In her first years in the monastery, she worked in the kitchen, infirmary and sacristy and also served as portress. At the age of 34, she was made novice mistress, a position she held for 22 years. When she was 37, Veronica received the stigmata. Life was not the same after that.
Church authorities in Rome wanted to test Veronica's
authenticity and so conducted an investigation. She lost the office of novice mistress temporarily and was not allowed to attend Mass except on Sundays or holy days. Through all of this Veronica did not become bitter, and the investigation eventually restored her as novice mistress.
Though she protested against it, at the age of 56 she was elected abbess, an office she held for 11 years until her
death. Veronica was very devoted to the Eucharist and to the Sacred Heart. She offered her sufferings for the missions. Veronica was canonized in 1839.
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Weekend Readings
Saturday AM 9:11-15 PS 85:9-12, 13-14 MT 9:14-17
Topics being discussed at this time include: Obamacare, contraception and religious freedom. - Religion and Culture forum. The First Great
Commandment - Christian Spirituality Issues forum.
Stock market mid-year report: Helium was up, feathers were down. Paper was stationary. Fluorescent tubing was dimmed in light trading. Knives were up sharply. Cows steered into a bull market. Pencils lost a few points. Hiking equipment was trailing. Elevators rose, while escalators continued their slow decline. Weights were up in heavy trading. Light switches were off. Mining equipment hit rock bottom. Diapers remained unchanged.
Shipping lines stayed at an even keel. The market for raisins dried up. Coca Cola fizzled. Caterpillar stock inched
up a bit. Sun peaked at midday. Balloon prices were inflated. Scott Tissue touched a new bottom. And batteries
exploded in an attempt to recharge the market
