Vatican City, Nov 16, 2016 / 04:21 am
The spiritual works of mercy – especially teaching the faith and putting up with the annoyances of others – are very important, Pope Francis said Wednesday, but first we must examine our own conscience to see if we are practicing the things we preach.
"The need to advise, admonish and teach should not make us feel superior to others, but first of all obliges us to return to ourselves to see if we are consistent with what we ask of others," he said Nov. 16.
"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?"
The Pope's catechesis for the general audience in St. Peter's Square focused on several of the spiritual works of mercy, specifically counseling the doubtful, admonishing the sinner, instructing the ignorant, and bearing the wrongs of others patiently.