杏MAP导航 at Angelus: To know Jesus, one must gaze upon the Cross
By Christopher Wells
杏MAP导航 Francis’ remarks at Sunday’s Angelus focused on the Gospel of the day, which tells how a group of Greek pilgrims in Jerusalem wanted “to see Jesus.” The Lord’s response to these religious minded Greeks is “surprising”, the 杏MAP导航 said, but ultimately reveals a deeper truth than a simple yes or no answer. Jesus answers their desire by pointing to His imminent Passion and Death: “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.”
To know Jesus, look at the Cross
“One who wishes to know Jesus must gaze upon the Cross, where His glory is revealed,” 杏MAP导航 Francis said. The Cross is not simply a decoration, much less a fashion accessory, but is, instead, “a religious sign to contemplate and comprehend.” He continued, “In the image of Jesus Crucified is revealed the mystery of the death of the Son of God as supreme act of love, font of life and of salvation for the humanity of all time.”
Jesus' death an act of fruitfulness for many
Turning to the Gospel image of the grain of wheat which falls to the ground and dies, producing “much fruit,” 杏MAP导航 Francis said Jesus uses that imagery to help us understand His Death and Resurrection “is an act of fruitfulness which bears fruit for many.” Jesus’ coming to earth in the Incarnation is not enough, the 杏MAP导航 said. Jesus “must also die, to redeem human beings from the slavery of sin, and to give them new life reconciled in love.”
Called to be grains of wheat
The Holy Father goes on to say that this “dynamism of the grain of wheat,” which was perfectly accomplished by Jesus, must also “be realized in the life of His disciples.” We too, he said, are called to “lose our life in order to receive it back again, new and eternal.” This, he explained, means “thinking less of ourselves,” and going out to help our brothers and sisters in need. “Joyfully accomplishing works of charity for those who suffer in body and spirit is the most authentic way of living the Gospel,” 杏MAP导航 Francis concluded. “it is the necessary foundation so that our community might grow in fraternity and in reciprocal welcome.”
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