POPE FRANCIS

ANGELUS

Saint Peter's Square

Sunday, September 13, 2015

Today's Gospel presents Jesus, on the road to Caesarea Philippi, asking his disciples, "Who do people say I am?" (Mark 8:27). They answer what people were saying: some thought he was the resurrected John the Baptist, others Elijah, or one of the major prophets. People appreciated Jesus; they considered him "sent from God," but they were not yet able to recognize him as the Messiah, the Messiah foretold and awaited by all. Jesus looks at the apostles and asks again, "But who do you say I am?" (v. 29). This is the most important question, the one with which Jesus speaks directly to those who have followed him, to test their faith. Peter, on behalf of them all, exclaims sincerely, "You are the Christ!" (v. 29). Jesus is struck by Peter's faith; he recognizes that it is the fruit of grace, a special grace from God the Father. And he then openly reveals to the disciples what awaits him in Jerusalem, namely, that "the Son of Man must suffer many things... be killed and, after three days, rise again" (v. 31).

Having heard this, Peter himself, who had just professed his faith in Jesus as the Messiah, was scandalized. He took the Master aside and rebuked him. And how did Jesus react? In turn, he rebuked Peter for this, using very severe words: “Get behind me, Satan!” he said to him, “for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things” (v. 33). Jesus realized that in Peter, as in the other disciples—and indeed in each of us!—the temptation of the Evil One, who wants to turn us away from God's will, opposes the grace of the Father. By announcing that he would have to suffer and be put to death and then rise again, Jesus wanted to make those who followed him understand that he was a Messiah and a humble servant. He was the Servant obedient to the word and the will of the Father, even unto the complete sacrifice of his own life. Therefore, addressing all the crowd that was there, he declares that whoever wants to be his disciple must accept to be a servant, as he himself became a servant, and he warns: “If anyone wants to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me” (v. 35).

Following Jesus means taking up our own cross—and we all have one—to accompany him on his journey, a difficult path that is not one of success or fleeting glory, but one that leads to true freedom, the freedom that liberates us from selfishness and sin. It means firmly rejecting the worldly mentality that places the self and its own interests at the center of existence: this is not what Jesus wants from us! Instead, Jesus invites us to lose our lives for Him, for the Gospel, to receive them renewed, fulfilled, and authentic. We are certain, thanks to Jesus, that this path ultimately leads to the resurrection, to full and definitive life with God. Deciding to follow Him, our Master and Lord who became the servant of all, requires walking behind Him and listening attentively to His Word—remember: read a passage from the Gospel every day—and to the sacraments.

There are young people here in the square, young boys and young girls. I ask you: have you felt the desire to follow Jesus more closely? Think about it. Pray. And let the Lord speak to you.

May the Virgin Mary, who followed Jesus to Calvary, help us to always purify our faith of false images of God, so that we may fully adhere to Christ and his Gospel.