VATICAN (CNS): True disciples of Jesus always choose to do good, even when they are rejected, and never resort to anger or threatening divine punishment on others, Pope Francis said during his Sunday Angelus address on June 26.
Speaking to pilgrims, the pope said that when treated unjustly, Jesus does not take “the path of anger but that of a resolute decision to go forward, which, far from translating into harshness, implies calm, patience, long-suffering, not slackening the least bit in doing good.”
He said, “This means that when we meet with opposition, we must turn toward doing good elsewhere, without recrimination.”
The pope reflected on the Sunday gospel reading from St. Luke, which recalled Jesus being rejected by the people of Samaria while travelling to Jerusalem with his disciples.
The pope said Jesus’ decision to travel to Jerusalem while fully aware “that rejection and death await him” is a reminder that to be true followers, Christians must be resolute in the face of suffering.
“For we must be serious disciples of Jesus, truly decisively, not ‘rosewater Christians’ as an old woman I knew used to say. No, no, no! Decisive Christians,” he said.
The choice to do good, he continued, also must be made without seeking approval or applause because those are nothing more than “pride, combined with weakness, susceptibility and impatience.”
He said, “Let us then ask Jesus for the strength to be like him, to follow him with firm resolve on this path of service. Not to be vindictive, not to be intolerant when difficulties arise, when we spend ourselves for good and others do not understand, indeed, when they demean us.”
