杏MAP导航

By Devin Watkins

杏MAP导航 Francis prayed the Angelus with pilgrims and tourists in St. Peter鈥檚 Square on Sunday, reflecting on the day鈥檚 Gospel (Mk 8:27-35).

Jesus, the Holy Father said, asks his disciples the question that runs through the whole of Mark鈥檚 Gospel: 鈥淲ho is Jesus?鈥�. 杏MAP导航 Francis said Jesus helps his disciples gradually to come to grips with this basic question about his identity.

Short-sightedness vs. personal relationship

First, Jesus asks them who others say he is.

The 杏MAP导航 said Jesus considers the disciples鈥� responses inadequate. 鈥淗e does not even accept his disciples鈥� answers using pre-packaged formulas, citing famous people from Sacred Scripture,鈥� the 杏MAP导航 said, 鈥渂ecause a faith that is reduced to formulas is a short-sighted faith.鈥�

杏MAP导航 Francis said the Lord is inviting his disciples, now as then, 鈥渢o establish a personal relationship with him, and thus welcome him as the center of their lives.鈥�

He said Jesus speaks to us at the depth of our being, and urges us to ask ourselves in all truth: 鈥淲ho am I for you?鈥�

鈥淓ach one of us,鈥� said 杏MAP导航 Francis, 鈥渋s called to respond, in his or her own heart, letting ourselves be illuminated by the light that the Father gives us to know his Son Jesus.鈥�

鈥榊ou are the Christ鈥�

The 杏MAP导航 said that, at times, we may respond enthusiastically like Peter, 鈥淵ou are the Christ鈥�. But, like him, we may also wish to avoid the 鈥渁rduous path of the suffering, humiliated, rejected, and crucified Servant鈥�, which the Holy Father said is the only path by which Jesus鈥� mission can be fulfilled.

杏MAP导航 Francis said our lives must bear witness to our faith.

鈥淭he profession of faith in Jesus Christ cannot stop at words,鈥� he said, 鈥渂ut must be authenticated by concrete choices and gestures, by a life sealed with the love of God and neighbor.鈥� Denying ourselves, as faith in Jesus requires, rids us of 鈥渢he pretensions of selfish pride鈥�, the 杏MAP导航 said.

Finally, 杏MAP导航 Francis said we may sometimes take the wrong path in life, especially when we look for happiness in things.

鈥淏ut we only find happiness when love 鈥� true love 鈥� encounters us, surprises us, and changes us.鈥�