Pope
Angelus: Jesus frees us from selfishness, sin and self
(Vatican Radio) In his Angelus address on Sunday from his studio
above St Peter's Square, Pope Francis reflected on the Gospel reading from Mark
in which Jesus asks the disciples "Who do people say I am?"
The Pope recalled how they responded, saying that some people
thought he was John the Baptist restored to life, others Elijah or one of the
great prophets, but couldn’t quite believe he was the Messiah.
The Holy Father noted how Jesus then asks a very important
question "But who do you say that I am?" in order to test their
faith.
Jesus, said Pope Francis is impressed by the faith of Peter who
says “you are the Christ”.
But Jesus also rebukes Peter for thinking the way men think and
not as God thinks when he tells the disciples "the Son of Man must suffer
many things ... and be killed, and after three days rise again".
For Peter, explained the Pope, these words are scandalous. The
Holy Father also explained that in announcing that he must suffer and be put to
death and then resurrected, Jesus wants to make it clear to those who follow
him that as the Messiah he is a humble servant. What Jesus is also saying, said
Pope Francis is that “anyone who wants to be his disciple must accept being a
servant.”
Following Jesus, continued the Pope, means taking up one’s own
cross to accompany him on his journey, a path that ultimately leads to true
freedom, freedom from selfishness and sin. The Holy Father also underlined that
accompanying the Lord means rejecting the worldly mentality that puts the
"self" at the centre of existence, instead following what is renewed
and authentic.
Then speaking to the young people present in St Peter’s Square,
Pope Francis asked, “Have you felt the need to become closer to Jesus?”
“Reflect and pray,” the Pope advised, and let the Lord speak to you.
Following the recitation of the Marian prayer, the Holy Father
remembered a new Blessed being proclaimed in South Africa. Samuel Benedict Daswa
was a family man killed in 1990 because of his fidelity to the Gospel.
Pope Francis said that in his life Daswa always showed “great
consistency, courageously taking on Christian attitudes and refusing worldly
and pagan habits. His testimony, the Pope added, helps especially families to
spread the truth and charity of Christ.”
He also greeted temporary teachers from Sardinia, and
expressed the hope that the problems of the labour market would be addressed by
taking account of the family and its needs.
(Lydia O'Kane)
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