Pope sees many 'masquerading as Christians'

June 27, 2013

Pope Francis drew a sharp contrast between “Christians of words” and “Christians of action” during his homily at a weekday Mass on June 27.

Commenting on the Gospel image of a house built on rock, the Pope said that true Christian faith is built on Jesus Christ. However, he said, “There has always been the temptation to live our Christianity not on the rock that is Christ.” This temptation toward “a Christianity without Jesus” is doomed to failure, the Holy Father remarked, because only Jesus gives the faithful the right to address God as Father.

Pope Francis said that the “Christians of words” fall into two categories: the gnostics, who “lives floating on the surface of the Christian life;” and the pelagians, who whose rigid approach puts them “in perpetual mourning.”

Both gnostics and pelagians “masquerade as Christians,” the Pope said, insofar as they do not base their faith on Jesus Christ. “The Holy Spirit has no place in their lives,” he added.

 

---

For all current news, visit our News home page.

---

 
Further information:

• Pope at Mass: Resting our faith on the rock of Christ (Vatican Radio)
• Pope: there are "so many" Christians who are "not Christians, but who disguise themselves as Christians" (AsiaNews)
• Francis warns against temptation of living Christianity without Christ (La Stampa)