Pope Francis recently commented on the murders in Paris saying that these cartoonists died because they mocked the Prophet Mohammed and that we should not mock anyone’s religion. Yet, in the scriptures we find Jesus calling the Pharisees “whitened sepulchers”! Yes, it is about understanding the context. That is the point.
Our minds, languages and experiences cannot comprehend the glory of God. We have different interpretations that can change over time. As a child, I experienced the presence of God in the warmth of sunlight; then, in the Real Presence of the Eucharist; later, in the “word of God” in the Bible; and, now, in everyday life.
Unlike seventh-century Islam, where you either submit or die; modern day Christians practice: “You will know them by their fruits.” So, all the ignorance, poverty and violence (towards non-believers) in Muslim countries, says more than any cartoon.
We need to understand that Pope Francis is not prophetic like John-Paul or a theologian like Benedict. He is a “good shepherd,” a pastor who lived all his life in a land of fascist dictators, militarism and economics. He is not expert on constitutional governance, free-market economics or man-made climate change. Trust in God!
Michael McCarthy
Cortez