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Francis: the question – ‘Who am I for you?’ – digs deep within us. Not admirers, but imitators of Jesus. The Pope congratulates Benedict XVI. for the 70th consecration day. From Armin Schwibach
Rome (kath.net/as) “But you, who do you take me for? Simon Peter answered and said: You are the Christ, the Son of the living God! ”: Angelus at the solemnity of the princes of the apostles Peter and Paul.
At the center of today’s Gospel (Mt 16: 13-19), Pope Francis said in his catechesis before the midday prayer, the Lord asks the disciples a crucial question: “But you, who do you consider me to be?” (V. 15). This is the crucial question that Jesus repeats to us today: “Who am I for you? Who am I to you who have accepted the faith but are still afraid to go out on my word? Who am I for you who have been a Christian for so long but, tired of habit, have lost your first love? Who am I to you when you are going through a difficult time and have to shake yourself up to start over? Jesus asks: Who am I for you? Let us give him an answer today, one that comes from the heart! ”.
Before answering this question, Jesus asked the disciples another: “Who do people think the Son of Man is?” (V. 13). This was a “poll” to record opinions about him and the reputation he enjoyed, but fame is not of interest to Jesus. “So why did he ask this question?” Asked Francis, “to point out a difference that is the fundamental difference in the Christian life”.
There are those who stuck to the first question, opinions, and above Jesus spoke. And then there are those who instead With Jesus talked, brought him life, entered into a relationship with him, made the decisive step. That is what interests the Lord: “To be at the center of our thoughts, to become the point of reference for our affection. In short, to be the love of our life ”.
The saints we celebrated today took this step and witnessed: “They were not admirers but imitators of Jesus. They were not spectators but protagonists of the gospel. They did not believe with words but with deeds ”. Peter did not speak of a mission, he was a fisherman of men. Paul wrote not learned books but living letters while he was traveling and bearing testimony. Both would have given their lives for the Lord and for their brothers and sisters. And “they provoke us. Because we run the risk of stopping at the first question: expressing opinions and views, having great ideas and saying nice words, but never putting ourselves at risk ”.
For example, how many times have we said that we wanted a church that was more faithful to the gospel, that was closer to people, that was more prophetic and missionary. In concrete terms, we would then do nothing. It is sad to see that many talked, commented and debated, but few gave testimony. The witnesses “do not get lost in words, they bear fruit”. They did not complain about others and the world, but started with themselves. They reminded us that God does not proven, rather shown must be: that it is not proclaimed with announcements, but witnessed by examples.
However, if one looks at the lives of Peter and Paul, an objection might arise. They “were witnesses, but not always exemplary: Peter denied Jesus and Paul persecuted the Christians”. But – and that is the point – they have also testified to their misconduct. For example, Peter could have said to the evangelists: “Do not write down the mistakes I have made”. Instead, no, “his story comes out naked and raw from the Gospels, with all its misery”. So also St. Paul, who reports mistakes and weaknesses in his letters. This is where the testimony begins: of the truth about yourself, of the fight against your own duplicity and falsehood.
The Lord can do great things through us if we are not careful to defend our own image, but are transparent with him and with others: “Today, dear brothers and sisters, the Lord asks us. His question – who am I to you? – digs deep within us. Through his witnesses Peter and Paul, he calls on us to drop our masks, to refrain from half measures, to the excuses that make us tepid and mediocre. May Our Lady, Queen of the Apostles, help us in this. May she kindle in us the desire to bear testimony of Jesus ”.
After the Angelus, the Pope recalled the Vatican’s Day of Prayer for Lebanon, which will take place on July 1, 2021. Francis also commemorated the 160th anniversary of the founding of “L’Osservatore Romano”.
The Pope also commemorated the 70th consecration day of Benedict XVI. and thanked the bishop emeritus of Rome for his prayer:
“And today is an anniversary for us that touches our hearts: 70 years ago Pope Benedict was ordained a priest. Our affection, our gratitude and our closeness go to you, Benedict, dear father and brother. He lives in the monastery, a place that should house the contemplative communities here in the Vatican so that they can pray for the Church, currently he is the Vatican Contemplative, who spends his life praying for the Church and for the Diocese of Rome, of which he is Bishop Emeritus Thank you, Benedict, dear father and brother. We thank you for your credible testimony. Thank you for keeping your eyes on God’s horizon: Thank you! “.
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