Pope Francis warns "don't be fooled by false messiahs"
Nov 18, 2013 12:19:14 GMT -5
Post by baydoll on Nov 18, 2013 12:19:14 GMT -5
Isn't that like calling the kettle black or something? Rome
At today’s Angelus in St. Peter’s Square Francis asked faithful not to be “fooled by false messiahs” and invited them to think of their “many Christian brothers and sisters who suffer persecution because of their faith. There are more Christians being persecuted today than in the early centuries. After the Marian prayer, Francis reminded those present that today was the “day of road deaths”, praying for respect of the rules of the road. And as the Year of Faith has drawn to a close, Francis recommended faithful a “medicine for the soul” which roused waves of applause.
Today’s Gospel passage described how Jesus addressed the people of Jerusalem who were commenting on the temple and how beautiful it was and urged them to pay attention to the “real issues” and not to secondary aspects. The Pope highlighted the pertinence today of the words pronounced by the Son of God “even for us who live in the XXI century.” Francis called for “discernment” and urged faithful to “understand the difference between the spirit of the Lord and the spirit of evil.” “Take heed that you not be deceived. Many will come in my name," Francis said.
“Even today, in fact, there are false “saviours", who attempt to substitute leaders of this world, holy men , even sorcerers for Jesus, people who want to attract hearts and minds, especially of young people, to themselves. Jesus warns us: "Do not follow them". And the Lord also helps us to not be afraid when faced with wars, revolutions, but also to natural disasters, epidemics, Jesus frees us from fatalism and false apocalyptic visions.”
Then Francis spoke about the challenge for us as Christians and the Church: “Jesus speaks of the painful trials and persecutions that his disciples will have to suffer because of Him. However promises: "Not a hair of your head will perish” (v.18). In short, said Francis, "reminds us that we are totally in the hands of God! The adversity we meet for our faith and our commitment to the Gospel are occasions of testimony and they should not turn us away from the Lord, but force us to abandon ourselves to Him even more, to the power of his Spirit and his grace.”
Francis then asked faithful to turn their thoughts to their “many Christian brothers and sisters who suffer persecution because of their faith. There are many of them, perhaps many more of the early centuries. Jesus is with them, and also we are united with them with our prayers and our love. We admire their courage and testimony. They are our brothers and sisters, who in many parts of the world suffer for their fidelity to Jesus Christ. We send them our heartfelt greetings and our affection."
“In the end, Jesus makes a promise that is a guarantee of victory: "By your perseverance you will secure your lives" (v.19). How much hope in these words! They are a reminder of the hope and patience, to be able to wait for the fruits of salvation certain, confident in the profound sense of life and of history,” the Pope said.
The trials and difficulties are part of a bigger picture, and the Lord, the Lord of history, leads all to its fulfilment. Despite the turmoil and disasters that affect the world, God’s plan of goodness and mercy will be fulfilled! And this is our hope. Travelling this road, the road of God, it will be accomplished.”
After the Angelus prayer the Pope remembered the victims of road accidents saying: “Today is also the 'day of road deaths ' .I assure you of my prayers and encourage you to persevere in the prevention, because prudence and respect for the rules of the road are the first form of protection for oneself and others."
Finally, the Pope recommended “a special medicine to realize the fruits of the Year of Faith, which is drawing to a close. Its a medicine of 59 beaded grains: it is a spiritual medicine called Misericordina… kept in a box,” which some volunteers distributed as faithful left the square.
vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/the-vatican/detail/articolo/francesco-francisco-francis-angelus-29807/
Wonders never cease.
