Posted on 02/18/2008 4:06:02 PM PST by NYer
VATICAN CITY, FEB. 17, 2008 (Zenit.org).- To enter into life, it is necessary to listen to Jesus and follow him along the way of the cross, says Benedict XVI.
The Pope affirmed this today after praying the midday Angelus in St. Peter's Square. He began his address by thanking those who spiritually accompanied him and the members of the Roman Curia on their spiritual exercises, which ended Saturday.
Then the Holy Father turned his attention to the Gospel from today's liturgy, which presented the story of the Transfiguration.
"The transfiguration is an event of prayer," the Pontiff said. "Praying, Jesus is immersed in God, he is united intimately to him, he adheres with his human will to the Father's will of love, and in this way light invades him and the truth of his being appears visibly: He is God, light from light. Even his robes become white and luminous."
Benedict XVI said this image recalls the sacrament of baptism and "the white robes worn by the neophytes."
"Those who are reborn in baptism are clothed in light, anticipating heavenly existence, which the Book of Revelation represents with the symbol of white robes," he explained.
"This," the Pope said, "is the crucial point: The Transfiguration is an anticipation of the Resurrection, but this presupposes death."
He added: "Jesus manifests his glory to the apostles so that they have the strength to face the scandal of the cross and understand that it is necessary to pass through many tribulations to reach the kingdom of God. The voice of the Father, which resounds from on high, proclaims Jesus as his beloved Son, as in the baptism in the Jordan, adding: 'Listen to him.'"
"To enter into life it is necessary to listen to Jesus," the Holy Father affirmed, "to follow him along the way of the cross, carrying, like him, the hope of the resurrection in our heart. 'Spe salvi,' saved in hope. Today we can say: 'Transfigured in hope.'"
Ping!
It’s very nice to see a thread on the saving grace of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, especially after perusing other threads with open warfare between Evangelicals and Mormons.
Freep-mail me to get on or off my pro-life and Catholic List:
Please ping me to note-worthy Pro-Life or Catholic threads, or other threads of interest.
After a while, those threads are like heartburn. No matter how many times you post an explanation, the opposing member cites arcane documents not even related to the faith. /sigh/
Well it’s fun to watch the Evangelicals and Mormons go at it, when they are both so wrong :)
AUGUST 6 - FEAST OF THE TRANSFIGURATION
Maronite Catholic: Hoosoyo of the Transfiguration
Homilies preached by Father Altier on the Feast of the Transfiguration
Pope: No Resurrection Without the Cross (Reflects on Gospel Account of Transfiguration)
I’ve started avoiding all threads that go into three digits and beyond. Pretty much all salient points can be made in a half dozen posts. Beyond that, it’s just a repetitious dialog of the deaf and usually turns into in a food fight.
Why would you enjoy others being wrong?
“To enter into life, it is necessary to listen to Jesus and follow him along the way of the cross, says Benedict XVI.”
He or some one else made this up. The Scripture says to have new life in Christ BELIEVE ON HIM, be BORN AGAIN. Sanctification - maturing in faith, being conformed to Christ, takes us along the way of myriad trials, etc. but such do not save.
It’s very nice to see a thread on the saving grace of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, especially after perusing other threads with open warfare between Evangelicals and Mormons.
After a while, those threads are like heartburn. No matter how many times you post an explanation, the opposing member cites arcane documents not even related to the faith. /sigh/
Do you have a PC or a Mac? ;)
That some one else was Christ
Luke 14:27 Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.
The Scripture says to have new life in Christ BELIEVE ON HIM, be BORN AGAIN.
If you want eternal life he addresses that also. Did you miss this?
John 6:53-54 Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day.
That some one else was Christ
Luke 14:27 Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.
The Scripture says to have new life in Christ BELIEVE ON HIM, be BORN AGAIN.
If you want eternal life he addresses that also. Did you miss this?
John 6:53-54 Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day.
Here's the rest of the picture.
Belief in Christ is confirmed by our taking up of the cross. It is the seal of authenticity. It shows our professed belief in Christ is not mere words. Belief in Christ and taking up the cross are inseparable and both are necessary for salvation.
Jesus said that "it was not those who say "Lord, Lord", who will inherit the kingdom of heaven but those who do the will of my Father". Salvation has a "doing" component which is a direct consequence of belief in Christ.
PC at work; ancient iMac at home.
“But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews indeed a stumblingblock, and unto the Gentiles foolishness: But unto them that are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:23-24
Do ye equate being His disciple with being born again?
Show me your cross.
"And he said to all: If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life, shall lose it; for he that shall lose his life for my sake, shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, and cast away himself?" Luke 9:23-25
I was born again of water and the Spirit when I was Baptized. Being a disciple of Christ is to affirm the Baptismal vow of renouncing Satan and all his works.
Show me your cross.
That is a very personal matter Manfred. Every Christian feels the weight of the cross during their spiritual journey. This may come in the form of personal tragedy, medical condition, family problems, false accusations, spiritual dryness, etc.
Without a strong faith it would be easy to crumble under the weight and loose hope. This is exactly what Satan wants us to do.
So I keep my strength by receiving the Eucharist, praying and fasting. What about you?
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