"Jesus’ words have the power to bring to light whatever each of us holds in the depths of our heart, often mixed like the wheat and the tares. And this gives rise to spiritual conflict. Seeing the signs of the Lord’s superabundant mercy… we find ourselves forced to discern and decide… The closeness of Jesus, who dines with sinners, wins hearts like those of Zacchaeus, Matthew and the Samaritan woman, but it also awakens scorn in the self-righteous. The hour of joyful proclamation, the hour of persecution and the hour of the cross go together. When His hour came, He embraced the cross fully. For on the cross there can be no ambiguity! The cross is non-negotiable."
Pope Francis