Pope Francis greets the faithful at the May 8 General Audience (Credit: CNA / Stephen Driscoll)
Posted on 09/07/2013 3:49:35 PM PDT by NYer
.- In his daily homily on Saturday, Pope Francis reflected on the question of authentic Christianity and rejected the practice of focusing more on devotions than on Christ himself.
Jesus is “the center” of faith, said the Pope. “A commandment is valid if it comes from Jesus: I do this because the Lord wants me to do this. But if I am a Christian without Christ, I do this and I don’t know why I have to do it,” he said to the congregation at the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta on September 7.
Like the Pharisees, he said, there are some people who “make so many commandments the center of their religiosity.”
Others who have a false sense of religiosity “only seek devotions” or “things that are a little uncommon, a little special, that go back to private revelations,” noted Pope Francis.
“If your devotions bring you to Christ, that works. But if you remain there, something’s wrong,” he explained.
“If Jesus is not at the center, there will be many other things,” so that people become “Christians without Christ.”
Remembering that Jesus is the center of faith “regenerates us, grounds us.”
Pope Francis further explained the mark of a true “Christian with Christ.”
“The rule is simple: only that which brings you to Jesus is valid, and only that is valid that comes from Jesus. Jesus is the center, the Lord, as He Himself says.”
Christians can avoid false religiosity by adoring Jesus as “the Lord, the only Lord.”
“If you aren’t able to adore Jesus, you’re missing something,” warned Pope Francis.
The sign of a true “Christian with Christ” is one who does “that which comes from Jesus” and that which leads to Jesus.
Such adoration bears true fruit in the life of a Christian, encouraged the Pope.
He said that Jesus also gives “the grace of loving Him so much, of following Him, of going along the path that He has shown us.”
A “Christian with Christ” has the courage to proclaim Jesus as Lord.
Pope Francis exhorted Catholics not to focus on false piety, but rather evangelize and “take the Gospel!”
Could you clarify what it is you think IS being shown?
True
What formal training has Congress had in Constitutional law?
It was a simple question that required a simple yes or no. I believe that you are projecting, unlike many of the prots on this thread I have no guile. I say exactly what I mean.
There ya go!
HMMMmmm...
How much does one need?
>> “I was referring to those of all religions who’ve gotten over it” <<
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Well, I guess its victims will get over it at the first resurrection when they notice the absence of papists on the sea of fire and glass.
There ya go again!
I was GOING to post that!
Ok...
I'll solve the problem---
Of course I am pretty sure I wouldn't go to a self taught brain surgeon. I noticed you left out the medical aspect of my point. One can only wonder why.
Then now is YOUR chance to shine!
Please list the UN-Christian compassion detected.
>> “Maybe here is where we delve into semantics, but I the law is indeed what, as Christians we should strive for. And every single time we fall short we need to look back at the Cross.” <<
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I think that is what Yeshua meant when he said that he writes the law on our hearts, but what about when someone falls into deliberately and habitually disobeying his commandments? (I don’t mean out of ignorance)
HMMMmmm...
That is Christian compassion, and that is what is not being demonstrated by 5 of the protestants on this thread.
There's snot...
and then there is SNOT!!!
>> “I noticed you left out the medical aspect of my point. One can only wonder why.” <<
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No, he didn’t leave it out, he pointed out that alternative medicine is far more competent and effective.
LOL!
Do you think he’ll “get it?”
No I didn't. Please re-read.
I don't mind folks with higher learning, so long as it is real - Most of the time (like this time, it seems) appeals to ivory towers are just a way to say, "Shuddup and listen to your betters." I find that to be a less than adequate argument. Most things are not as complicated as one is lead to believe.
And btw, Greek is not brain surgery either.
AMEN! Many folks are just too afraid to put much sail in the Wind.
Accredited lifelong Greek Scholars have studied the Greek and translated it into almost 300 versions of the Bible in the easy to read and understand English language...
So what do you bring to the table??? You got something over on these expert Greek scholars??? You know something none of them know???
Musta been out of dynamite and duck tape, eh?
Whoops! What am I thinkin'? You can't use duck tape for a chicken coop!
Carry on... ; )
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