Pope says Christ’s life was one of sacrifice, not popularity

Last updated on: August 19, 2012 at 4:42 pm by CNA Daily News

Pope says Christ’s life was one of sacrifice, not popularity 2012-08-19T16:42:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Castel Gandolfo, Italy, Aug 19, 2012 / 10:42 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Benedict XVI said that Jesus did not seek recognition during his public ministry but chose instead to preach the sometimes difficult truth of “his sacrifice of love.”

“Jesus was not a Messiah who aspired to an earthly throne,” Pope said during his Sunday Angelus address at Castel Gandoflo Aug. 19.

“He did not seek popularity to conquer Jerusalem, and indeed, he desired to go to the Holy City to share the fate of the prophets: to give his life for God and the people.”

Pope Benedict made his remarks from today's gospel of St. John in which Jesus reveals to the multitude in Capernaum that he is “the living bread which came down from heaven,” and that “if any one eats of this bread, he will live forever.”

The crowds – who had previously been enthused by the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes – are now dismayed as Christ clarifies that this bread that he “shall give for the life of the world” is, in fact, his “flesh.”

“How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” many protested, according the gospel.

The realization had sunk in, noted the Pope, that the “loaves, broken for thousands of people, would not result in a triumphal march, but predict the sacrifice of the cross, when Jesus became the bread broken for the multitude, the body and blood offered in atonement for the soul of the world.”

Pope Benedict said Jesus knew exactly what he was doing in addressing the crowd “to break their illusions and, especially, force his disciples to decide.”

The result was that Christ's words did “dampen enthusiasm and cause many disagreements” among his disciplines such that “many of them no longer followed him.”

Jesus wanted to make clear that “he was sent to offer his life” and that “those who wanted to follow him had to join him in a deep and personal way, participating in his sacrifice of love.”

Hence he subsequently establishes the Sacrament of the Eucharist at the Last Supper so “that his disciples may have in themselves his charity and, as one body united to him, extend in the world his mystery of salvation.”

The Pope concluded by leading pilgrims in the praying of the midday Marian prayer before expressing some specific words of encouragement to English speaking pilgrims.

“May we always hunger for the gift of his presence in the Eucharistic sacrifice, wherein Jesus gives us his very self as food and drink to sustain us on our pilgrim journey to the Father. God bless all of you!”

Europe

Previous Post

August 19, 2012

Memorial of Pope St. Pius X celebrated Aug. 21

Next Post

August 19, 2012 Maronite patriarch warns Syrian conflict could spread to Lebanon

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What does Paul say happens when we are baptized into Christ Jesus?

Select your answer to see how you score.

We are baptized into his death We become children of God We receive the Holy Spirit We are saved