Who Are the Righteous?

In a recent homily Pope Francis gave on the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, he made a crucial point: "The starting point of the Christian life is not our worthiness; in fact, the Lord was able to accomplish little with those who thought they were good and decent. Whenever we consider ourselves smarter or better than others, that is the beginning of the end. The Lord does not work miracles with those who consider them-selves righteous, but with those who know themselves needy. He is not attracted by our goodness; that is not why he loves us. He loves us just as we are; he is looking for people who are not self-sufficient, but ready to open their hearts to him. People who, like Peter and Paul, are transparent before God."

Sometimes we have a tendency to look at those who are poor, or uneducated, or suffer from addictions, as somehow not as good as we are. The pope reminds us that Jesus did not work miracles for those who considered themselves righteous, but for those who begged for mercy, who knew their need for God. He loves us not because we are good, but rather because we know we are not self-sufficient. 

Those who think they are perfect do not need God. When we become aware of our imperfections, our unworthiness, our weaknesses, we are more likely to draw forth God's love and concern. He calls us to be transparent and authentic and to know that He is on our side. When Paul asked God to remove some impediment or defect he had, God told him, "My grace is sufficient for you." And Paul became one of the greatest saints. 

How much different our world would be if everyone realized that transparency is what God desires. We can get rid of the cover-ups, the pretenses, the illusions that we carry around and just be naked before God. He loves us as we are and wants us to place our trust in Him. This kind of humility is rare in our political and religious leaders as well as the rest of us. Thanks for the reminder, Pope Francis.