Pope Francis has called on Christians to open themselves to God’s will and to put love of brothers and sisters into practical action, saying a true Christian chooses good over evil every day.
The Pope made this call over the weekend while addressing the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the Angelus Prayer.
He says believers should be reminded that Christian life is not made up of dreams or beautiful aspirations, but of concrete actions, the capacity to open ourselves to God's will and to love our brothers and sisters.
He takes his cue from the Gospel reading of Mt 21: 28-32, which recounts the parable of two sons who are invited by their father to go and work in the vineyard. The first son impulsively responds “no”, but then he repents and goes. The second son, immediately replies “yes”, but does not do so.
Pope says "obedience does not consist of saying “yes" or “no”, but of acting, of cultivating the vineyard, of bringing about the Kingdom of God."
Christianity is not an external facade. This parable, the Pope explains, teaches us that the Lord asks us to go beyond a religion that is made up of external and habitual practice which does not affect people’s lives and attitudes.
He goes on to say that those who practice external form of Christianity, which is the same with religiosity, of which Jesus disapproves, are “the chief priests and the elders of the people”, who, according to the Lord’s admonition, will be preceded in the Kingdom of God by “tax collectors and prostitutes.”
This does not mean, he clarifies, that Jesus shows publicans and prostitutes - sinners - as models of life, but as “privileged of Grace”, which “God offers to anyone who opens up and converts to Him.”
“Indeed, these people, listening to his preaching, repented and changed their lives,” and offers us a model of humility and repentance, pope concluded.
Exactly! True Christians ought to choose good over evil. If you diligently follow the teachings of our Lord Jesus you would agree with me that Christianity is not difficult to practice; we are the ones being difficult to convert. I have realised that I gain nothing getting even with anyone considered my "enemy" or whoever has wronged me. I regularly reflect on our Lord's teaching in Matthew 5:45-48. One Pentecostal Church friend, a woman, usually sends me prayer every morning; there was one she sent last week Monday 21st September with misfortune that should befall my enemies. I responded thus:
ReplyDeleteGood afternoon and thank you dear daughter of Zion for your consistent daily prayers. I appreciate.
Please, note that I am a Catholic; I practise the teaching of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in Matthew 5:43-48 and 6:9-15. Catholic Church does not pray "back to sender" prayer, or wish misfortune to befall our seeming enemies. Let God do whatever He wills with wicked ones. Old Testament, especially the Psalms are full of prayer of vengeance against enemies. That's in Judaism but we are Christians, the New Covenant people and should follow the footsteps of our Master Jesus; he will fight our battles, defend and protect us. Indeed he does.
I have, for a long time now, started putting into practice this Jesus' teaching as recorded by Matthew.
Pope Francis is echoing the voice of Christ Jesus. Choosing good is what the Catholic Church teaches us about charity, which transcends love, or put in a better way; is putting love into practice - being pragmatic. We Christians having the light of God and the spirit of the Son of God in us ought to be like our Lord and Saviour.
May we truly be like Christ in every aspect of our lives, through the same Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.