Pope Francis challenges with question: How is your faith?

Last updated on: August 24, 2014 at 2:52 pm by CNA Daily News

Pope Francis challenges with question: How is your faith? 2014-08-24T14:52:00+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, Aug 24, 2014 / 08:52 am (CNA/EWTN News).- During his Angelus address Sunday Pope Francis reflected on the Gospel account of Saint Peter's recognition of Jesus as the Lord, urging those present to honestly evaluate their own faith.

“Brothers and sisters, what happened in a unique way in Saint Peter, also takes place in every Christian who develops a sincere faith in Jesus the Christ,” he told crowds gathered in St. Peter's Square on Aug. 24.

“Today's Gospel challenges each of us: How is your faith? Let each of us answer in our heart. How is your faith? How is it? What does the Lord find in our hearts: a firm heart, like a rock? Or a heart like sand, that is, doubtful, mistrustful, unbelieving?”

The Pope drew his remarks from Matthew 16:13-20, where St. Peter professes his faith by acknowledging Christ as the “Son of the Living God.” Jesus responds by calling the apostle blessed, and telling him “that upon this rock, I will build my Church.”

“If the Lord finds in our hearts a faith – I won’t say perfect, but sincere, genuine, then he will see in us, too, the living rocks on which he builds his community,” Pope Francis said. “For this community, the foundation stone is Christ, the unique cornerstone.”

“For his part, Peter is the rock, as the visible foundation of the unity of the Church; but every baptized person is called to offer to Jesus his or her own faith, poor but sincere, so that He can continue to build His Church, today, in every part of the world.”

Pope Francis reflected on how in that exchange with Peter in the Bible, Christ bestows a new name on him since he was formerly called Simon. The pontiff invited those present to pause and consider how the name Peter meant “rock” in Jesus' language of Aramaic.

He clarified that this term “rock” referred to God, and that Christ gives this name to Peter “not for his own personal qualities or his human merits, but on account of his genuine and firm faith, which comes from on high.”

“Jesus feels a great joy in his heart, because he recognizes in Simon the hand of the father, the action of the Holy Spirit. He recognizes that God the father has given Simon a 'dependable' faith, upon which he, Jesus, can build his Church, that is, his community, that is, all of us. All of us.”

Pope Francis noted that Jesus' Church is fundamentally based on our relationship with him, which should be one of love and trust.

“Our relationship with Jesus builds the Church. And so to begin His Church Jesus needs to find in His disciples a solid faith, 'dependable' faith. This is what He must confirm at this point in the journey, and this is why he asks the question.”

The Pope added that God “has in mind the image of building, the image of the community as an edifice.”

“And so, when he hears Simon’s frank profession of faith, he calls him 'rock,' and makes clear his intention of building his Church on this faith.”

“Even in our days, many people think that Jesus is a great prophet, a teacher of wisdom, a model of justice,” the Pope added. “And even today, Jesus asks His disciples – that is, us, all of us – 'But you, who do you say that I am?' A prophet? A teacher of wisdom? A model of justice? How will we answer?”

“Let us think about it. But above all let us pray to God the Father, that He will give us the answer,” and let us ask “through the intercession of the Virgin Mary.”

Pope Francis then lead the crowds present to repeat three times together with him: “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”

Vatican

Previous Post

August 23, 2014

Boko Haram kidnap dozens in attack on village

Next Post

August 24, 2014 Pope Francis leaves Asian faithful energized after visit

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 the Hebrew word "Chokmah", often used in Proverbs, mean?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Fear Wisdom Strength Knowledge