Christian words without Christ bring ‘madness,’ says Pope

Last updated on: December 5, 2013 at 9:34 pm by CNA Daily News

Christian words without Christ bring ‘madness,’ says Pope 2013-12-05T21:34:00+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.

Vatican City, Dec 5, 2013 / 02:34 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- In his daily homily on Dec. 5, Pope Francis reflected that the words and actions of a Christian must be centered on Jesus, or they will be empty, leading to division and the “madness of pride.”

“A Christian word without Christ at its center leads to vanity, to pride, power for the sake of power,” said the Pontiff during Mass at the Vatican’s Casa Santa Martha.

“And the Lord knocks these people down. This is a constant in the history of salvation,” he observed, pointing to the words of Mary’s Magnificat.

God will cast down those who are vain and prideful, believing themselves to be made of rock, the Pope explained, according to Vatican Radio. Rather, God wants us to build our lives on Him as a solid foundation.

“Isaiah, in the first reading, says: 'Trust in the Lord always! The Lord is the rock!'” the Holy Father emphasized.

“This figure of the rock refers to the Lord. One word is strong, life-giving, it can go forward, it can tolerate all the attacks, if this word is rooted in Jesus Christ.”

The Pope called on those present to examine their consciences in order to determine whether their Christian words are truly founded on the rock of Christ.

“A Christian word that does not have vital roots, in the life of a person, in Jesus Christ, is a Christian without Christ!” he exclaimed, adding that “Christian words without Christ cheat, they do evil…they begin to travel the path of madness.”

Pope Francis added that “when there is no Jesus Christ this also creates division among us, it makes division in the Church.”

We must put our Christian words into practice or they will be empty, he said, pointing to the Pharisees whom Jesus rebukes for knowing God’s law but failing to live it.

The Pope encouraged the faithful to “ask the Lord to help in this humility, to speak words rooted in Jesus Christ.”

Vatican

Previous Post

December 5, 2013

Shipwrecked man survives underwater for three days praying psalms

Next Post

December 6, 2013 Amid persecution, Christianity growing in 'Global South'

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 was the primary light source in Biblical times?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Candle Bonfire Torch Oil lamp