Pope Francis: 'Inequality Is The Root Of Social Evil' http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/...3.html?ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000051&ir=Religion
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local...f0a-11e3-b812-0c92213941f4_gallery.html#item0 Washington Archbishop Donald Wuerl is a power player under Pope Francis View Photo Gallery — Archbishop Donald Wuerl: Pope Francis’s local power player: Washington Archbishop Donald Wuerl is unassuming and reserved. Many of the region’s Catholics probably don’t know that their leader is one of the world’s most influential bishops.
Pope Francis at Mass: I weep for Christians still crucified today http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-at-mass-i-weep-for-christians-still-c
Popular blog closed down by local Bishop. Protect The Pope http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2014/04/30/popular-blog-closed-down-by-bishop/
So , for the most part, Pope Francis has had a positive effect on Catholics and even non-Catholics. It's nice to hear the media talking positively about the Catholic church for a change !
Pope Francis to visit a “Polish Parish” in Rome http://www.romereports.com/pg156692-pope-francis-to-visit-a-oepolish-parish-in-rome-en
For those of us that love the Pope & Soccer ("Football " )- Pope to soccer players: You have a responsibility in and out the soccer field http://www.romereports.com/pg156706...responsibility-in-and-out-the-soccer-field-en
To Bishops of Sri Lanka the Pope points to the Church as a living image of coexistence between the Sinhalese and Tamil http://www.news.va/en/news/to-bishops-of-sri-lanka-the-pope-points-to-the-chu
Pope Francis: Regina coeli appeals for Ukraine, Afghanistan http://www.news.va/en/news/pope-francis-regina-coeli-appeals-for-ukraine-afgh
Pope's Mass: Stay away from vanity! It's dangerous http://www.romereports.com/pg156727-pope-s-mass-stay-away-from-vanity-it-s-dangerous--en
Daily News The Church Is More Than a ‘University of Religion,’ Pope Insists (504) ‘We are a people who follow Jesus Christ and bear witness,’ the Holy Father said, ‘and sometimes this witness leads to laying down our lives.’ by ELISE HARRIS/CNA/EWTN NEWS 05/06/2014 Comment – Kyle Burkhart/CNA VATICAN CITY — In his daily Mass on May 6, Pope Francis recounted the death of St. Stephen, the Church’s first martyr, explaining that being a Christian means giving witness to faith. “You cannot understand a Christian without witness,” the Pope stated in his daily homily, adding that “we are not a university of religion, a ‘religion’ of ideas” or “of pure theology, beautiful things, of commandments.” “No, we are a people who follow Jesus Christ and bear witness — who want to bear witness to Jesus Christ — and sometimes this witness leads to laying down our lives.” Addressing those gathered in the Vatican’s St. Martha guesthouse, the Holy Father reflected on how St. Stephen, whose stoning was recounted in the day’s first reading, taken from the Acts of the Apostles, was killed in a manner similar to that of Jesus. Like Jesus, Stephen also encountered “the jealousy of the leaders who were trying” to get rid of him and had “false witnesses” and a “rushed judgment” when he warned the people that they were resisting the Holy Spirit, the pontiff noted. “These people were uneasy, were not at peace in their hearts,” but, rather, had “hatred” in their hearts, he observed, explaining, “This hatred was sown in their hearts by the devil. … This is the devil’s hatred of Christ.” Highlighting how the “struggle between God and the devil” is clearly shown in the act of martyrdom, Pope Francis said that “to be persecuted, to be a martyr, to give one’s life for Jesus is one of the beatitudes,” which is why “the devil cannot stand seeing the sanctity of a church or the sanctity of a person without trying to do something.” “Martyrdom is the translation of a Greek word that also means witness,” he continued, “so we can say that, for a Christian, the path follows in the footsteps of this witness, Christ’s footsteps, to bear witness to him; and many times this witness ends up in laying down one’s life.” “You cannot understand a Christian without witness. We are not a ‘religion’ of ideas, of pure theology, beautiful things … we are a people who follow Jesus Christ and bear witness.” Recalling how “a severe persecution began against the Church in Jerusalem” after Stephen’s death, the Holy Father observed that these people “felt strong, and the devil provoked them to do this,” so “Christians scattered to the regions of Judea and Samaria.” Because of this persecution, the people of God went “far and wide,” proclaiming the Gospel and giving testimony to Jesus wherever they went, the Bishop of Rome went on to say, noting that this is how the “mission of the Church” began. “So many converted on hearing these people,” he reflected, quoting one of the Fathers of the Church, who said: “The blood of martyrs is the seed of Christians.” With “their witness they preach the faith.” “Witness, be it in everyday life, in difficulties and even in persecution and death, always bears fruit. The Church is fruitful and a mother when she witnesses to Jesus Christ.” However, “when the Church closes in on itself, when it thinks of itself as a — so to speak — ‘school of religion,’ with so many great ideas, with many beautiful temples, with many fine museums, with many beautiful things, but does not give witness,” the Pope explained, “it becomes sterile.” “The Christian is the same. The Christian who does not bear witness, is sterile, without giving the life he has received from Jesus Christ.” Continuing, Pope Francis observed how “Stephen was filled with the Holy Spirit” and that “we cannot bear witness without the presence of the Holy Spirit in us.” “In difficult times, where we have to choose the right path, where we have to say No to a lot of things that maybe try to seduce us, there is prayer to the Holy Spirit,” he stated, “and he makes us strong enough to take this path of witness.” Bringing his reflections to a close, the Pope encouraged those present to think “about these two icons — Stephen, who dies, and the people, the Christians, fleeing, scattering far and wide because of the violent persecution.” “Let us ask: How is my witness? Am I a Christian who witnesses to Jesus or a simple numerary in this sect? Am I fruitful because I bear witness or sterile because [I am] unable to let the Holy Spirit lead me forward in my Christian vocation?”
The one thing that bothers me in the article above is that it is an 'either/or' argument, which leaves out essential truths. I think it is short sighted to put down "religion, commandments, pure theology" in lieu of being a 'witness to Jesus'. There are many aspects that we as Christians should undertake, which are essential to being 'rounded' in the faith. This is why I liked the book, The Soul of the Apostolate, (Pope St. Pius X beside book) by Jean-Baptiste Chautard, because he speaks of the active life (social justice) and the interior life (contemplative life of prayer) and in the end it is the contemplative life which makes fruitful the active life, not the other way around. Living the faith is more than walking around with a big smile and not judging peoples sinful actions, it is about teaching and living the fullness of the faith through prayer and works of charity. It is not an either/or thing.
Pope's Audience: to pray is to leave space for the Holy Spirit to help seek God's counsel http://www.romereports.com/pg156747...the-holy-spirit-to-help-seek-god-s-counsel-en
Wow - I didn't read this as an "either-or" proposition at all. I read it as a wake-up call to the lukewarm who think they've got it made because they check all the boxes and show up. He's reminding us that following Jesus is costly, and can cost us our lives. How many nice people in the pews are ready to lay down their lives for Jesus today? I'm thankful he is reminding us of our calling. And I always like the way he brings up the reality of the enemy's real presence in the world.
Kathy, have you never noticed that many messages by Pope Francis are not balanced with both essentials. When I read his writings/words, more times than not, he puts emphasis on one aspect of the faith, while deemphasizing other essentials? For example in the article I made mention of above, I am 100% for witnessing the faith, but not while deemphasizing the other crucial aspects of the faith, ie., 'commandments'. You must realize that some/many will look to this as a reason to judge those who cling to the laws of the church as being outdated and hard hearted. One can make their point without downgrading another essential aspect of the faith is all I am saying. Laying down ones life seems to be what is happening now to those who cling to the traditional aspects of our faith (those who oppose sodomy, divorce and remarriage, contraception etc..) are seen in society as enemies of the state and even within the church in many circles.
Pope's Audience: to pray is to leave space for the Holy Spirit to help seek God's counsel http://www.romereports.com/pg156747...the-holy-spirit-to-help-seek-god-s-counsel-en
