The Woman Caught In Adultery: A Year of Mercy and Repentance

"I think we too are the people who, on the one hand, want to listen to Jesus, but on the other hand, at times, like to find a stick to beat others with, to condemn others. And Jesus has this message for us: mercy. I think — and I say it with humility — that this is the Lord's most powerful message: mercy.

We continue to be sinners for we are weak, but with this grace which makes us feel that the Lord is good, that the Lord is merciful, that the Lord waits for us, that the Lord pardons us—this immense grace changes our heart...

And here I wish to say to you: joy! Do not be men and women of sadness: a Christian can never be sad! Never give way to discouragement! Ours is not a joy born of having many possessions, but of having encountered a person, Jesus, in our midst.”

Francis I


"‘Woe to you, you hypocrites! You scrupulously observe the details, but neglect the more important spirit of His commandments – justice, mercy and faithfulness.

‘Woe to you, you hypocrites! You carefully perform the rituals, but inside you are full of greed and self-indulgence.

‘Woe to you, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside, but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. On the outside you appear righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.

‘You snakes, you brood of vipers.'"

Matt 23: 23-33