THE POPE IN BRAZIL

FRANCIS TELLS CATHOLICS TO RESIST
“IDOLS” OF MONEY, POWER, PLEASURE

www.independent.co.uk - Pope Francis urged Catholics to resist the “ephemeral idols” of money, power and pleasure during a pilgrimage Wednesday to one of the most important shrines in Latin America. Francis celebrated the first public Mass of his trip to Brazil after praying before the statue of Our Lady of Aparecida, Brazil's patron saint. His eyes welled up with emotion as he stood silently in deep prayer before the tiny dark-skinned statue. 
In his homily, Francis appealed for the faithful to not seek out false idols of money and success that he said take the place of God. Rather, he called for Brazilians to keep Christian values of faith, generosity and fraternity.

Crowds roared, church bells rang out and a multitude of faithful waved in jubilation as the pope arrived in this small town, where thousands packed into the cavernous Basilica of the Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida. A powerful choir burst into song as Pope Francis arrived and tens of thousands of additional believers braved a cold rain outside. Francis paused in deep prayer before the statue of the virgin, his eyes tearing up as he breathed heavily. He touched the frame holding the statue and made the sign of the cross as a small group of prelates behind him applauded. 
It was a deeply personal moment for this pontiff, who has entrusted his papacy to the Virgin Mary and, who like many Catholics in Latin America, places great importance in Marian devotion.

In a sermon to a congregation of thousands, Pope Francis appealed to the faithful to focus on non-material values of spiritualism, generosity, solidarity and perseverance. During his first mass in Brazil, he also urged Catholics to resist the “ephemeral idols” of money, power, success and pleasure. “Let us never lose hope! Let us never allow it to die in our hearts!” the pontiff said in his message. Francis is in Brazil for World Youth Day. Pope Francis has said a great truth: the ‘idols’ of money, power, success and pleasure are against the practice of devotional service.

WHAT DO THE VEDIC TEACHINGS TELL US? 

What harm do the six enemies, which are unfavorable to devotional service, cause a practitioner of devotional service?
The six enemies (lust, anger, greed, illusion, pride, and envy) constantly appear in the human mind and create disturbances. These six enemies engage the mind in the following temporary material activities: the urge to speak in order to cause anxiety, the mental urge to speculate, the urge to speak harsh words in anger, the urge of the tongue to relish the four kinds of foodstuffs (sweet, sour, salty, and bitter), the urge of the stomach to eat palatable foodstuffs, and the urge of the genitals to enjoy the association of men and women. Because of these six enemies, pure cultivation of devotional service does not take place in the heart.

Śrīla Saccidananda Bhaktivinoda Thākura :
‘Activities Unfavorable to Devotional Service’
“Śrī Bhaktivinoda Vānī Vaibhava” - Vol 2. “Abhidheya”
Compiled by Śrīpad Sundarānanda Vidyāvinoda
http://blservices.com/books/previous-acaryas/sri-bhaktivinoda-vani-vaibhava
http://www.amazon.es/Bhaktivinoda-Vaibhava-Complete-Edition-ebook/dp/B00CQTQARK

 

Published by dasavatara das - “Vedic Views on World News”
http://www.vedicviews-worldnews.blogspot.com.ar/