Practice what you preach

Richard A. Sokerka

Pope Francis’ last catechesis before the Year of Mercy concluded this past Sunday, focused on reminding Catholics to practice what they preach.

The Spiritual Works of Mercy — especially teaching the faith and putting up with the annoyances of others — are very important, Pope Francis said, but first we must examine our own conscience to see if we are really practicing the things that we preach to others.

“Do not forget the words of Jesus from Luke chapter six,” he said. ‘Why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own?’”

Often we come across people who focus on the superficial because they have not met anyone who helped them to see the truly important things in life. “To look to the essentials, the Pope said, “is important, especially in a time like now, where the world seems to have ‘lost its bearings,’ and is always chasing ‘short-sighted satisfaction.’”

The Pope cautioned that in helping others see the truly important things in life, we assume responsibility for our own actions, particularly when we are tempted to be annoyed by the people around us, or when we complain about the shortcomings of others, such as gossiping about them.

In these situations, Pope Francis said, the first step must be to examine our own consciences “to see if we, at times, can be annoying to others.”

As the Pope pointed out, “It’s easy to point fingers at the flaws and failings” of others,” he said, “but we should learn to put ourselves in others’ shoes.”

If we do that from having truly taken part in the Year of Mercy in our lives, we will be able to practice what we preach. And the world will be a better place for it.