We need to "accompany Jesus to the Cross " and not just "up to a certain point", says Francis during mass this morning. " The sign is our ability to bear humiliation ."

Vatican City ( AsiaNews) - The "sign" the " touchstone ", the " proof of our Christian reality" is "our ability to bear humiliation " , "to accompany the Lord to the cross " and not just "up to a certain point . "

This was Pope Francis reflection at Mass this morning at Casa Santa Marta , commenting on the passage from the Gospel of Luke in which Jesus asks what people say about him.

"This question - said Pope Francis , as reported by Vatican Radio - is also addressed to us". "For you who I am? The owner of this firm , a good prophet, a good teacher , someone who gladdens your heart? " - which is also " all true ." I am " One who walks with you in life, which helps you to move forward, to be a little 'good? " . Yes, it is true, but it does not end there. "It ' was the Holy Spirit to touch the hearts of Peter to say who Jesus is. If he is the Christ, the Son of the living God, it is a mystery, huh? ... But Who can explain that...But He has said so. And if each of us, in prayer, looking at the Tabernacle , says to the Lord: ' You are the Christ , the Son of the living God', does not say it on his own, but is moved by the Holy Spirit. And, secondly, we must be prepared, because He will answer , 'It's true ' . "

At Peter's response, Jesus asks him not to tell anyone and then announces his Passion , his death and his resurrection . Pope Francis recalls the reaction of the leader of the apostles , "This shall never happen". " Peter gets scared , he is offended ," neither more nor less than so many Christians who say, "This will never happen ! I'll follow you to here ." One way , ie to " follow Jesus up to a certain point ." "And this is the temptation of spiritual well-being . We have everything : we have the Church , we have Jesus Christ , the sacraments , the Virgin Mary , everything, we do nice work for the Kingdom of God, we are good to everyone. Why we should at least think about this, because if we think otherwise it is sin! but spiritual well-being is only enough up to a certain point . Like the young man who was rich: he wanted to go with Jesus, but only up to a certain point. He lacked this final Christian anointment, to be really Christian: the anointing of the cross , the anointing of humiliation. He humbled himself unto death, death for us all. This is the touchstone , the proof of our Christian reality : Am I a Christian of culture and well-being? Am I a Christian who accompanied the Lord to the cross ? The sign is the ability to bear humiliation . "

 " the proof if somebody is a true Christian is his or her ability to endure humiliations with joy and patience, and as this is something they do not like ... there are many Christians who, looking to the Lord, ask humiliating to look like more to Him. This is the choice: either a Christian of spiritual well being - who will go to heaven, eh ?  sure you can save yourself, right? - or a Christian close to Jesus, to the way of Jesus. "

 

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