Pope at Angelus: Amid the scourge of war Christ is hope
By Isabella H. de Carvalho
Christ is the only one who can alleviate the burden of our difficulties and suffering but his love can only be found through humility, Pope Leo XIV said in his Angelus message, pronounced in Saint Peter’s Square on Sunday, July 5.
“In slavery, Christ is liberation. Amid the scourge of war, Christ is hope. In the hour of sin, Christ is forgiveness,” the Pope emphasized.
“This is true wisdom and the path that we wish to walk together, united as disciples in his name. Jesus teaches us this as the Son, by becoming our brother. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, he reveals to the Church the truth about God and about humanity.”
Read the full text of the Pope's Angelus address here
Jesus takes upon himself humanity wounded by evil
Pope Leo highlighted how the weight of the cross that we bear can be “easy” and “light,” only “because the Lord himself carries it with us, never leaving us alone in what burdens us.”
“As a true teacher, Jesus takes upon himself humanity wounded by evil in order to heal and care for it,” the Pope insisted.
He also explained how it is exactly through understanding the significance of the cross that we can find hope and comfort.
The wisdom we get from Christ is “a proclamation of salvation” and “his yoke lifts us up from every fall,” the Pope said, citing also the Gospel of the day – taken from Matthew Chapter 11 verses 25 to 30 – on which his reflection is based.
“For this reason, our journey of following Christ is not an asceticism that mortifies. Rather, it is a school of freedom that takes seriously the drama of history and continually sheds light on its meaning, especially in its darkest moments.”
Thus “only in the cross of Jesus is evil overcome; only in his passion does our mortal weariness find consolation and redemption,” the Pope emphasized.
God’s teaching is addressed to all those who struggle
However, the Pope also noted that humility is an essential component of understanding Christ’s love.
In the Gospel of the day “Jesus invites us to join him in praising the Father,” Pope Leo explained, adding that the “simplicity of such a spontaneous and joyful gesture” reflects how God “delights in revealing himself ‘to infants,’ while remaining hidden ‘from the wise and the intelligent.’”
“So filled are they with their own ideas that they fail to recognize the presence of Christ, the Messiah who comes to visit his people,” the Pope pointed out. “Human wisdom thus becomes arrogance, and doctrine degenerates into pride.”
“By contrast, God’s true wisdom is revealed in the humility of the Incarnation, and his teaching is addressed above all to those who struggle: ‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens’,” the Pope continued.
He highlighted how “going to Jesus means responding to his love and sharing in his life, even to the cross.”
“It is precisely this self-giving out of love that constitutes Jesus’ ‘yoke’ which is the essence of his teaching and the heart of his wisdom, ablaze with love for all,” the Pope said.
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