Pope Francis denounced
consumerism as a poison that threatens true happiness, which comes from
membership in the church. The pope made his remarks before
praying the Angelus with a noontime crowd in St. Peter's Square. "The
encounter with the living Jesus, in the great family that is the church,
fills the heart with joy, because it fills it with true life, a
profound goodness that does not pass away or decay," he said. "But this
experience must face the daily vanity, the poison of emptiness that
insinuates itself into our society based on profit and having (things),
that deludes young people with consumerism," he said. "Young people are
particularly sensitive to the emptiness of meaning and values that
surrounds them," he said. "And they, unfortunately, pay the
consequences."
I am just beginning to dive into the beautiful, ancient devotion to the Five Wounds of Jesus, and I wanted to share a bit of the journey with you. It can feel a little overwhelming at first to look at the Crucifix this closely, but I’ve found such a gentle guide in St. Bernard of Clairvaux . In his Jubilee Rhythm on the Passion, Bernard doesn't treat the wounds of Jesus as distant historical facts or sights to be avoided. Instead, he approaches them with the tenderness of a friend, speaking directly to the feet, hands, side, and face of our Lord. For someone like me who is just starting out, his rhythm teaches that prayer isn't just about reciting words; it’s a holy hide-and-seek. Bernard invites us to literally hide ourselves within these wounds, seeing them as clefts in the rock where we can find shelter when our own lives feel turbulent or heavy. As I start this process, I’ve been practicing what I call gazing and greeting. Following Bernard’s lead, I look at the Crucifix an...