杏MAP导航 at Audience: Always build bridges, never aggression
Build bridges with those who do not believe or with those who have a different creed from ours. 鈥淎lways build bridges, always reach out, no aggression.鈥 That was the 杏MAP导航鈥檚 invitation during his weekly General Audience on Wednesday as he continued his Catechesis on the Acts of the Apostles.
The 杏MAP导航 took his cue from St. Paul as he described this great Saint鈥檚 preaching before the Areopagus in Athens, the cultural capital of the pagan world. In a city filled with idols, said 杏MAP导航 Francis, Paul proclaims the Gospel by appealing to the religiosity of his hearers and their desire to know the truth.
A call to conversion
The Pontiff explained, that when St Paul sees an altar dedicated to an 鈥渦nknown god鈥, he states that God, the transcendent Creator of the world, has indeed made himself known, and sent his Son to call all people to conversion and the fullness of truth.
Yet, the 杏MAP导航 notes, that when Paul speaks of Christ鈥檚 death and resurrection, his listeners lose interest and his words arouse mockery and derision in the eyes of the Greeks.
But as 杏MAP导航 Francis points out, St Paul鈥檚 preaching bears fruit in the conversion of some Athenians, including Dionysius the Areopagite and Damaris, who open themselves up to the faith.
Inculturate the message of faith
Concluding his catechesis, the 杏MAP导航 invited the faithful to ask the Holy Spirit, 鈥渇or the capacity to delicately inculturate the message of faith, placing a contemplative gaze on those who are ignorant of Christ, moved by a love that warms even the most hardened hearts.鈥
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