Monsignor Pope Ping!
It is interesting how artistic renderings over the centuries put their own spin on this topic.
For example, most artistic representations of the Virgin Mary that you see show her either with Nordic features, or being very Italian looking.
I was struck by a recent statue that depicted her looking like a young Jewish girl....much like she must have actually looked.
WWJD?
Flipping over tables and chasing people with a whip is an option.
Once again Msgr Charles Pope nails another epistle to the electronic door for all to see an important aspect of the Gospel!
“When the crowds objected to Jesus’ teachings (such as His teaching on the Eucharist at Capernaum), He did not reconsider His words or go out and hire a public relations firm to improve His image. He did not conduct focus groups to test out His words and ideas. No, Jesus doubled down on disputed teachings and then asked His disciples if they were going to desert Him. He had an urgent mission to convey the truth, not debate it at length with detractors.”
I like this. I have often preached to others about the image, personality and character of Jesus is misrepresented.
Jesus was a VERY strong leader (in human terms). He had passion, conviction and was decisive. He didn’t waffle or waiver. He often, in fact usually, created turmoil and angst for Authorities (usually within the Jewish Community and religious leaders. AND he was very compassionate, understanding, forgiving and gentle. He was able to earn followers and loyalty even after being direct about what that loyalty and commitment would mean for them. People rallied around him. Many wanted him to be a king and take on the Romans.
Think of the great leaders in history (both good and bad). Churchill, Reagan, Thatcher, Pope John Paul II, even Hitler. They had charisma and charm. But they were bold and unwavering. AND they had the confidence of their followers because they preached about their love and loyalty to their followers. God loves you and I love you and you need to love each other in this way was as much as an order as it was a message. And it was well received by the people of Jesus.
Made me want to jump up and holler, “YEAH!!!” (fist pump...)
The show with “Father Albert” where Ann Coulter argued against single mothers (discussed in another thread) is a perfect example of what being a truth teller gets you: SCORN.
Ann was absolutely truthful but the host and the audience basically rose as one to “stone her” with humiliation and contempt. Uncomfortable to watch towards the end.
Contrast this with the cotton candy reception many famous preachers get from their cottage industry of books, tapes and videos. They get fawned over, Ann gets regularly jeered and mocked. Hmmm.
It’s a tad strange what Msgr Pope does on his “Images” video, but -— on second or third thought, that’s OK.
I think that’s rather the point: Jesus is strange Because He’s God, and God will always strike us as weird: disturbingly outside of our expected categories.
Pretty right on I think.
One thing is, he sure didn’t wear clerical garb and all the high-fallootin’ stuff that priests, bishops and the Pope wear - and would have been aghast at any suggestion to do so.
Priestly garb is just a more modern version of what the high priest and Pharisee’s wore - the one’s who arranged and called for Jesus death......
Another really good piece by Charles Pope who has become one of my must-reads.
Since I have actually READ the bible, I know the Real Jesus.
So I am NOT surprised.
The author quotes the following scripture.
Matthew 7: (NIV) The Narrow and Wide Gates
13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
One of the most PROFOUND statements in scripture.
The percentage of people going to heaven (FEW) is VERY SMALL compared to the percentage of people going to Hell (MANY) is HUGE.
REPENT! Ask for forgiveness. Accept Jesus as Lord and His free gift of eternal life in heaven with Him.
OR
Spend eternity without God, without any chance of parole or mercy, in ETERNAL anguish and suffering that DOES NOT END.
THERE ARE NO SECOND CHANCES. You decide in THIS life whether you will accept Jesus on His terms or you don’t.
Heaven if you do, Hell if you don’t. Period! FOREVER.
For later
Good Msgr Pope ping.
Msgr. Pope is ALWAYS a good read, but he especially showed his genius in this article.
Thank you for posting...
And "everybody knows" to believe in the trinity as well.
And "everybody knows" a lot of other stuff that nobody should dare question.
There will be many shocking surprises in the coming days. Nothing should be a shock though, especially with the benefit of the literal political parable that is unfolding right before our eyes.
Trump : the political Establishment :: Messiah : religious Establishment
Flipped over tables and seats. Sounds pretty rough and tumble, but no need to lay a hand. The Establishments will be turned upside down from the dead weight of the religiously correct doctrines in their heads.
The Messiah's kingdom is not of this world, so neither are his weapons and punishments.
One man's Lake of Fire is another man's refinery.
So would the REAL Mary!!
She was not fazed, and simply replied, “I know He never said that.”
It was my understanding that the Old Testament said He would be rather unassuming looking. But I also thought there was a New Testament reference to the fact that he was striking in appearance and that there was something magnetic about him.
I thought striking might have meant that he was taller than the average man of the time and unusual in some way.
This was not what I expected. Usually an article about “the real Jesus” departs entirely from the biblical texts. Large portions of this could be, or perhaps should be, written in the present tense, because Jesus is not just a figure of history. He lives and rules to all eternity. Introduce second person voicing and it becomes a sermon of substance.