Holy Father Pope Francis used the reading from 1 Corinthians 10:31–11:1 during a homily he addressed to over 70,000 altar servers gathered in St Peter’s Square for an Extraordinary Audience. These altar servers between the ages of 13 and 23 come from 19 different countries and are participating in the 12th International Pilgrimage for Altar Boys and Girls.
As reported by Vatican news, Holy Father Pope Francis remarked that “Giving God glory in everything (see 1 Cor 10:31) “sums up what it means to be a friend of Jesus. When we are unsure, that can be our guide. God’s glory is the needle of our moral compass. By it we recognize God’s voice and can know his will.” His Holiness Pope Francis’ then encouraged his listeners to practice St Paul’s exhortation to be pleasing to others so they may be saved (see 1 Cor 10:33). He suggested that we can brighten others up when they are down. This demonstrates both “love of God and the joy of faith” in addition to helping us remain friends with them.
His Holiness Pope Francis concluded his remarks by using the saint of the day – St Ignatius of Loyola – as an example “As a young soldier, he was concerned with his own glory yet, in good time, he was attracted by the glory of God. There he discovered the heart and meaning of life itself. So let us imitate the saints. Let everything we do be for God’s glory and the salvation of our brothers and sisters.”
