Pope Francis asks: ‘Who is Jesus for you?’

August 24, 2015

Reflecting on the day’s Gospel reading at Mass (Jn. 6:60-69), Pope Francis devoted his August 23 Sunday Angelus address to the response to Jesus’ teaching on the Eucharist.

“Even the disciples failed to accept the language, the disturbing language of the Lord,” the Pope observed as he spoke to the crowds that had gathered in St. Peter’s Square. “In reality, they have understood the words of Jesus, so well that they don’t want to listen to it, because it is a discourse which undermines their way of thinking. And the words of Jesus always make us uncomfortable.”

“Jesus offers the key to overcome difficulties, a key made of three elements,” the Pope continued. These elements are “his divine origin” (Jn. 6:62), “the action of the Holy Spirit” (Jn. 6:63), and faith (Jn. 6:64).

The Pope continued:

Jesus does not take back or soften his words; in fact, he forces us to make a clear choice: either to be with him or separated from him-- and He says to the Twelve: “Do you also want to leave?”

At this point, Peter makes his confession of faith in the name of the other Apostles: “Master, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (v. 68). He does not say, "Where shall we go?” but "To whom shall we go?” …

Each of us can ask ourselves now: “Who is Jesus for me?” A name? An idea? Only some historic person, or someone who loves me, who gave his life for me, and walks with me? Who is Jesus for you? Do you try to get to know him? Do you remain with his word? Do you bring your pocket Gospel with you to read it in whatever place you are in? Because the more we are with him, the more our desire to be with him grows.

 

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Further information:

• Le parole del Papa alla recita dell’Angelus (Holy See Press Office)
• Angelus Domini 2015.08.23 (Vatican YouTube)
• Zenit translation