Pope Francis delivers important relationship advice just in time for Valentine's Day

'That is how people destroy themselves; that is how enmity destroys families, peoples, everyone!'

Pope Francis shared an important message on February 13 during a Mass in the Domus Sanctae Martha.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - The Pontiff shared the cautionary story of Caina and Abel.

He warned of the dangers jealousy creates and explained the importance of healthy relationships, whether they be romantic, familial or friendships.

"That is how people destroy themselves; that is how enmity destroys families, peoples, everyone!" Pope Francis proclaimed. "That gnawing (feeling) in your guy, always obsessed with that. This happened to Cain and in the end, he got rid of his brother."

Pope Francis described how Cain allowed his jealousy to "simmer" until it began to grow to destroy "the bonds of fellowship and brotherhood."

The Pontiff continued, saying: "That is how enmity between us grows: It starts with one small thing, a jealousy, envy. Then this grows and we see life only from that point of view and that thin straw becomes a beam."

Families destroy themselves and those around them when they allow envy and anger to consume them.

"This happened in the beginning, it happens to all of us," his Holiness continued. "But this process must be stopped immediately, at the beginning, at the first sign of bitterness. Stop. Bitterness isn't Christian. Pain, yes; bitterness, no. Resentment isn't Christian. Pain, yes; resentment, no.

"Even among our priests, in our episcopal colleges: how many divisions begin this way! 'Why did they give him that post and not me? And why this?' (They are) little things, divisions, that destroy brotherhood.

"Hoe many powerful people in the world say this: 'I want this territory. I want this land, that thing. If the bomb falls and kills 200 children it isn't my fault, it's the bomb's fault. I want the territory.'"

Much like Abel, "the blood of so many people in the world today cries out to God from the ground. May the Lord helps us to repeat his question - 'Where is your brother?' - to help us think about those we destroy with our tongue and all those in the world who are treated like things and not as brothers and sisters; because a piece of land is more important than the bond of fellowship."

The Pope then offered Mass for Jesuit Father Adolfo Nicolas, the former superior general of the Society of Jesus. Fr. Nicholas was preparing to leave for the Philippines.

Remember, nothing is worth the twisted knot of sin in our hearts or the loss of friends or family.

---

'Help Give every Student and Teacher FREE resources for a world-class Moral Catholic Education'

Copyright 2021 - Distributed by Catholic Online