Vatican City, May 23, 2018 / 04:45 am
The Holy Spirit helps Catholics to do good works by giving them the gifts they need to be effective 'salt and light' in the world, Pope Francis said at the general audience Wednesday.
Like Jesus said: "You are the salt of the earth… you are the light of the world," the pope said May 23, explaining that the images of salt and light "make us think of our conduct, because both the lack and the excess of salt make food disgusting, as the lack and the excess of light prevent us from seeing."
"Who can really make us salt that gives flavor and preserves from corruption, and light that enlightens the world?" he asked. "It is only the Spirit of Christ!"
Explaining that at the moment of Confirmation the bishop says, "Receive the Holy Spirit, which has been given to you," Francis said the sacrament is "a great gift of God, the Holy Spirit within us."