Jesus served the truth, not popularity, Pope tells Sunday audience
February 04, 2013
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In his public ministry Jesus aimed “to testify to the truth,” rather than to win popular acclaim, Pope Benedict XVI said at his Angelus audience on Sunday, February 3.
The Pope reflected on the day’s reading from the Gospel of St. Luke, recounting Christ’s visit to the synagogue in Nazareth. At first Jesus was met with admiration from his former neighbors, the Pope said. But when He observed that “no prophet is accepted in his own land,” and recounted the stories of Elijah and Elisha, the people of Nazareth angrily turned against Him.
Jesus could have enjoyed a superficial popularity in Nazareth, the Pope said. But “Jesus did not come to seek the agreement of humanity.” He came to speak the truth.
“The true prophet does not obey anyone but God, and places himself at the service of truth, ready to pay in person,” the Pope observed. He added: “It is true that Jesus is the prophet of love, but love has its own truth. Better yet, love and truth are two names for the same reality: the two names of God.”
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Posted by: frjpharrington3912 -
Feb. 05, 2013 4:41 PM ET USA
We are blessed to have as our Holy Father a pope who speaks the truth and teaches others by his good example to do the same in their own lives. In this politically correct age in which we live Pope Benedict has shown the courage to proclaim and defend the truths of the faith at a time when it would be far easier to comprise them and to "seek the agreement of humanity." Like the Good Shepherd, the pope willingly accepts the world's contempt that we may know the truth that makes us free.
