Pope Francis on today's Gospel and on the synod

At Mass this morning in St Peter's Pope Francis warned against a temptation to practise a “spirituality of illusion” that ignores people’s struggles or sees things only as we wish them to be.

He also warned the church against a “scheduled faith” where things are so planned out that we cannot stop for those in need or those who are crying out for our help.

The pope made his remarks in a reflection on the Gospel reading of the day, which sees Jesus give sight to a blind man named Bartimaeus who he has encountered on his journey to Jerusalem.

“Even though he has only begun his most important journey … he still stops to respond to Bartimaeus’cry,” said Francis. “Jesus is moved by his request and becomes involved in his situation. He is not content to offer him alms, but rather wants to personally encounter him.”

“Jesus shows that he wants to hear our need,” said the pope. “He wants to talk with each of us about our lives, our real situations, so that nothing is kept from him.”

"None of the disciples stopped as Jesus did."