VATICAN CITY - Speaking on a mass onHoly Thursday in St Peter's Basilica, Pope Francis spoke of how "the Lord always gives us what we ask for, but that he does so in his divine way. That applies to the cross. Not for masochism. But for love, love to the very end."

  On the day before Good Friday, the pope spoke about the story of Jesus in the days before his crucifiction, describing how he was striving to help others even in his final days. "We are not scandalized because Jesus was not scandalized by having to heal the sick and to set prisoners free amid the moralistic, legalistic and clerical squabbles that arose every time he did some good." He urged us to "reject the venom of scandal" and simply embrace good works and charity.

  He said these words at the Chrism Mass, in which the three sacred oils are blessed, the oil of catechumens, the oil of the infirm and the holy chrism.