Nest Mentality in Church Leads to Judgement and Exclusion by Pope Francis.

 

Christian must be on guard and avoid the temptation of thinking themselves better than others, an attitude that risks running the church into a place of "separation and not communion." "Let us ask for the grace to overcome the temptation to judge and to categorize." "And may God preserve us from the 'nest' mentality, that of jealously guarding ourselves in the small group of those who consider themselves good: the priest with his loyal followers, the pastoral workers closed in among themselves so that no one can infiltrate, the movements and associations in their own particular charism, and so on." 

With the reflection of Pope Francis on the Sunday Gospel readings in the apostle John complained to Jesus about someone who drove out demons in Jesus' name but was not among his followers.

     "Don't prevent him. There is no one who performs a mighty deed in my name who can at the same time speak ill  of me," Jesus said.

The disciples, "would like to hinder a good deed simply because it is performed by someone who did not belong to their group" because they believed that they had "the exclusive right over Jesus"  and that they were "the only ones authorized to work for the kingdom of God." 

   However, by falling into the temptation of  "being closed," they ended up thinking they are privileged and consider others as outsiders to the point of "becoming hostile toward them." "Every moment of being closed tends to keep us at a distance from those who do not think like we do, and this - as we know - is the root of so many evils in history: of the absolutism that has often generated dictatorships and so much violence toward those who are different." 

The Church, is not immune to that temptation, because the devil "insinuates suspicious to divide and exclude people." 

    "We, sometimes, instead of being humble and open communities, can give the impression of being at the 'top of the class' and keeping others at a distance; instead of trying to walk with everyone, we can show off our 'believer's license.'" "I am a believer; I am Catholic; I belong to this or that association; and the others, poor things, do not. This is a sin. Showing off one's 'believer's license' to judge and exclude." 

The Holy Spirit wants openness in the Church so that "there is a place for everyone." Jesus also warns that instead of "judging everything and everyone," Christian should instead look to "be careful of ourselves" and that "if something in you causes you to sin, cut it off." 

"Jesus is radical in this, demanding, but for our own good, like a good doctor. Every cut, every pruning is so that we can grow better and bear fruit in love."