The pope stated that it is almost as if Jesus was saying, “One should not place too much faith in earthly realities which pass.” They are wise words …”
He stated that Jesus was trying to teach us perseverance.
Francis explained that perseverance is a sign of a high degree of strictness. Jesus, however, did not mean being rigid and inflexible with our standards.
He said, “Jesus asked us to be’strict’, ‘uncompromising, persistent in the things he has in his heart, and in what matters.”
He said, “Because what really counts, very often doesn’t coincide with what draws our attention.” We place importance on the work of our hands, our successes and our religious and civil traditions as well as our sacred and symbolic symbols. These are valuable things, but they die.”
According to the pope, Jesus wanted us to build “on his word and on love” so we should be focusing on that.
