• About
  • Contact
Saturday, July 19, 2025
Catholic Sabah
  • News
    • All
    • Asia
    • Focus
    • Local
    • Nation
    • Vatican
    • World
    Bishops of Myanmar’s war-torn regions: ‘Let us not lose faith’

    Bishops of Myanmar’s war-torn regions: ‘Let us not lose faith’

    Welcome Back, Fr David A Garaman! Celebrating His 49th Birthday and Return to St Mary’s Cathedral Parish

    Welcome Back, Fr David A Garaman! Celebrating His 49th Birthday and Return to St Mary’s Cathedral Parish

    Pope renews call for ceasefire in Gaza after attack on Catholic parish

    Pope renews call for ceasefire in Gaza after attack on Catholic parish

    2027 WYD in Seoul will be a turning point for youths: Vatican official

    2027 WYD in Seoul will be a turning point for youths: Vatican official

    Pope Leo XIV: Seek grace to pursue path of unity and fraternal charity

    Pope Leo XIV: Seek grace to pursue path of unity and fraternal charity

    Pope Leo XIV sends food to families in Ukraine’s Kharkiv

    Pope Leo XIV sends food to families in Ukraine’s Kharkiv

    Vocation stay-in at College General offers glimpse into seminary life

    Vocation stay-in at College General offers glimpse into seminary life

    Pilgrimage of Hope: Clergy of the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu retrace martyrs’ journey in Jubilee Year

    Pilgrimage of Hope: Clergy of the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu retrace martyrs’ journey in Jubilee Year

    Thai youth hack for hope: ‘MISSION POSSIBLE’ concludes with innovation, compassion, and synodal spirit

    Thai youth hack for hope: ‘MISSION POSSIBLE’ concludes with innovation, compassion, and synodal spirit

  • Opinion
    • All
    • Im on my Way
    • Kanou Monuhid Lahan Koposizon
    • Making A Difference
    • Mantad Di Katekis Peter
    • Reflection: Straight Talking
    Part 2: Porn – a silent addiction?

    Part 2: Porn – a silent addiction?

    Pax: The Monastery’s missionary witness

    Pax: The Monastery’s missionary witness

    The power of words

    What to do when there’s nothing you can do

    What Catholic Sabah stands for

    Part 1: Porn a silent addiction?

    The curious story of the Nicene Creed

    The curious story of the Nicene Creed

    Challenges of teaching theology in lived experiences

    Challenges of teaching theology in lived experiences

    Myth and history

    Myth and history

    Did Teresa of Avila inspire Descartes’ ‘I think, therefore I am’?

    Did Teresa of Avila inspire Descartes’ ‘I think, therefore I am’?

  • Feature
    Memories linger 80 years after Japan chopped prisoners as logs

    Memories linger 80 years after Japan chopped prisoners as logs

    Women religious in Haiti alleviating the suffering of their people

    Women religious in Haiti alleviating the suffering of their people

    How to spend your holidays according to the Popes

    How to spend your holidays according to the Popes

    Sisters of Mary uplift Tanzania’s disadvantaged youth

    Sisters of Mary uplift Tanzania’s disadvantaged youth

    Losing a loved one to suicide

    It is better for you that I go away

    ‘We Can’t Just Stand By and Watch’

    ‘We Can’t Just Stand By and Watch’

    Kisah pertemuan dengan Kristus: Pengalaman sertai Jubli para Remaja di Vatikan

    Kisah pertemuan dengan Kristus: Pengalaman sertai Jubli para Remaja di Vatikan

    Council of Constantinople reaffirms Christ’s divinity and clarifies the Trinity

    Council of Constantinople reaffirms Christ’s divinity and clarifies the Trinity

  • Statements
    World Day of Social Communications 2025 message by Pope Francis

    World Day of Social Communications 2025 message by Pope Francis

    Banns of Sacerdotal Ordination

    Banns of Sacerdotal Ordination

    Perutusan daripada Presiden Persidangan Uskup-Uskup Katolik Malaysia sempena Hari Malaysia

    Pastoral Letter on Earthquake in Myanmar and Regional Solidarity Appeal

    Chancery Notice

    Chancery Notice

    FABC Pastoral Letter to the local churches in Asia

    FABC Pastoral Letter to the local churches in Asia

    Commotion in Church: Press statement from Archbishop Simon Poh

    Commotion in Church: Press statement from Archbishop Simon Poh

    Lent 2025 message by Pope Francis

    Lent 2025 message by Pope Francis

    Pastoral Statement for dispensation from fasting  during Chinese New Year 2025

    Pastoral Statement for dispensation from fasting during Chinese New Year 2025

  • Chinese
  • Bahasa Melayu
  • Kadazan Dusun
  • JUBILEE 2025
  • About
  • Donate
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • All
    • Asia
    • Focus
    • Local
    • Nation
    • Vatican
    • World
    Bishops of Myanmar’s war-torn regions: ‘Let us not lose faith’

    Bishops of Myanmar’s war-torn regions: ‘Let us not lose faith’

    Welcome Back, Fr David A Garaman! Celebrating His 49th Birthday and Return to St Mary’s Cathedral Parish

    Welcome Back, Fr David A Garaman! Celebrating His 49th Birthday and Return to St Mary’s Cathedral Parish

    Pope renews call for ceasefire in Gaza after attack on Catholic parish

    Pope renews call for ceasefire in Gaza after attack on Catholic parish

    2027 WYD in Seoul will be a turning point for youths: Vatican official

    2027 WYD in Seoul will be a turning point for youths: Vatican official

    Pope Leo XIV: Seek grace to pursue path of unity and fraternal charity

    Pope Leo XIV: Seek grace to pursue path of unity and fraternal charity

    Pope Leo XIV sends food to families in Ukraine’s Kharkiv

    Pope Leo XIV sends food to families in Ukraine’s Kharkiv

    Vocation stay-in at College General offers glimpse into seminary life

    Vocation stay-in at College General offers glimpse into seminary life

    Pilgrimage of Hope: Clergy of the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu retrace martyrs’ journey in Jubilee Year

    Pilgrimage of Hope: Clergy of the Archdiocese of Kota Kinabalu retrace martyrs’ journey in Jubilee Year

    Thai youth hack for hope: ‘MISSION POSSIBLE’ concludes with innovation, compassion, and synodal spirit

    Thai youth hack for hope: ‘MISSION POSSIBLE’ concludes with innovation, compassion, and synodal spirit

  • Opinion
    • All
    • Im on my Way
    • Kanou Monuhid Lahan Koposizon
    • Making A Difference
    • Mantad Di Katekis Peter
    • Reflection: Straight Talking
    Part 2: Porn – a silent addiction?

    Part 2: Porn – a silent addiction?

    Pax: The Monastery’s missionary witness

    Pax: The Monastery’s missionary witness

    The power of words

    What to do when there’s nothing you can do

    What Catholic Sabah stands for

    Part 1: Porn a silent addiction?

    The curious story of the Nicene Creed

    The curious story of the Nicene Creed

    Challenges of teaching theology in lived experiences

    Challenges of teaching theology in lived experiences

    Myth and history

    Myth and history

    Did Teresa of Avila inspire Descartes’ ‘I think, therefore I am’?

    Did Teresa of Avila inspire Descartes’ ‘I think, therefore I am’?

  • Feature
    Memories linger 80 years after Japan chopped prisoners as logs

    Memories linger 80 years after Japan chopped prisoners as logs

    Women religious in Haiti alleviating the suffering of their people

    Women religious in Haiti alleviating the suffering of their people

    How to spend your holidays according to the Popes

    How to spend your holidays according to the Popes

    Sisters of Mary uplift Tanzania’s disadvantaged youth

    Sisters of Mary uplift Tanzania’s disadvantaged youth

    Losing a loved one to suicide

    It is better for you that I go away

    ‘We Can’t Just Stand By and Watch’

    ‘We Can’t Just Stand By and Watch’

    Kisah pertemuan dengan Kristus: Pengalaman sertai Jubli para Remaja di Vatikan

    Kisah pertemuan dengan Kristus: Pengalaman sertai Jubli para Remaja di Vatikan

    Council of Constantinople reaffirms Christ’s divinity and clarifies the Trinity

    Council of Constantinople reaffirms Christ’s divinity and clarifies the Trinity

  • Statements
    World Day of Social Communications 2025 message by Pope Francis

    World Day of Social Communications 2025 message by Pope Francis

    Banns of Sacerdotal Ordination

    Banns of Sacerdotal Ordination

    Perutusan daripada Presiden Persidangan Uskup-Uskup Katolik Malaysia sempena Hari Malaysia

    Pastoral Letter on Earthquake in Myanmar and Regional Solidarity Appeal

    Chancery Notice

    Chancery Notice

    FABC Pastoral Letter to the local churches in Asia

    FABC Pastoral Letter to the local churches in Asia

    Commotion in Church: Press statement from Archbishop Simon Poh

    Commotion in Church: Press statement from Archbishop Simon Poh

    Lent 2025 message by Pope Francis

    Lent 2025 message by Pope Francis

    Pastoral Statement for dispensation from fasting  during Chinese New Year 2025

    Pastoral Statement for dispensation from fasting during Chinese New Year 2025

  • Chinese
  • Bahasa Melayu
  • Kadazan Dusun
  • JUBILEE 2025
  • About
  • Donate
No Result
View All Result
Catholic Sabah
No Result
View All Result
Home News Vatican

Pope at Prayer Meeting: Love alone is path to peace and communion

October 21, 2020
in Vatican
Pope at Prayer Meeting: Love alone is path to peace and communion

Moment of Prayer for peace | Vatican Media

By Vatican News staff writer

Oct 21 2020

Pope Francis participates in an International Prayer Meeting for Peace, in the presence of leaders of various Christian denominations, and urges everyone to follow Jesus’s example of self-giving love in order to spread peace.

In his homily during the Moment of Christian Prayer for Peace on Wednesday, Pope Francis reflected on the Gospel passage that describes the moments just before Jesus’ death.

This passage, said the Pope, speaks of the temptation Jesus experienced amid the agony of the cross. “At the supreme moment of His sufferings and love, many of those present cruelly taunted Him with the words: ‘Save yourself!’ (Mk 15:30).”

Pope Francis explained that the“great temptation” to think of “only saving ourselves and our own circle” is one that spares no one, “including us Christians”.

Though it is a very human instinct, he continued, it is “wrong”. It was the “final temptation of the crucified God,” he said.

Ordinary people

The Pope went on to reflect on the words “Save yourself”, and on those who spoke them to Jesus as He hung on the cross.

The first to speak these words were “those who passed by (v.29)”. They were ordinary people who had heard Jesus teach and perform miracles. The Pope explained that these people were now telling Jesus to come down from the cross and save Himself. “They only wanted miracles,” he said.

“Sometimes we too prefer a wonder-working god to one who is compassionate.” We want a god in our own image rather than being conformed to His own image, continued the Pope. “But this is not God”, he said, “but our own creation.”

“In this way, we prefer the worship of ourselves to the worship of God. Such worship is nurtured and grows through indifference toward others. Those passers-by were only interested in Jesus for the satisfaction of their own desires. Jesus, reduced to an outcast hanging on a cross, was no longer of interest to them.  He was before their eyes, yet far from their hearts. Indifference kept them far from the true face of God.”

Chief priests and scribes

Pope Francis went on to note that the next people to speak the words “Save yourself” were the chief priests and the scribes: those who had “condemned Jesus, for they considered Him dangerous.” We are all “specialists in crucifying others to save ourselves,” said the Pope.

Jesus, however, allowed Himself to be crucified, “in order to teach us to not shift evil to others,” said the Pope. The chief priests accused Him precisely because of what He had done for others: “He saved others and cannot save Himself!” (v. 31).

The Pope explained that these priests and scribes knew Jesus. “They remembered the healings and liberating miracles He performed, but they drew a malicious conclusion.” To them, said the Pope, saving and helping others is “useless” and Jesus, who gave Himself unreservedly for others, was Himself lost. 

” The mocking tone of the accusation is garbed in religious language, twice using the verb to save.  But the “gospel” of save yourself is not the Gospel of salvation. It is the falsest of the apocryphal gospels, making others carry the cross. Whereas the true Gospel bids us take up the cross of others.”

Those who were crucified alongside Jesus

“Finally, those who were crucified alongside Jesus also joined in taunting Him,” continued the Pope. He explained that they were “upset with Jesus” because He did not take them down from the cross. For this reason they said to Him “Save yourself and us!” (Lk 23: 39).  They looked to Jesus only to resolve their problems, said the Pope. 

Pope Francis noted that “God does not come only to free us from our ever-present daily problems, but rather to liberate us from the real problem, which is the lack of love”. Lacking in love and thinking only of ourselves is the “primary cause of our personal, social, international and environmental ills,” said the Pope. It is “the father of all evils.” 

“Yet one of the thieves then looks at Jesus and sees in Him a humble love. He entered heaven by doing one thing alone: turning his concern from himself to Jesus, from himself to the person next to him (cf. v. 42).”

Calvary: a duel between God and man

Pope Francis then turned his reflections to Calvary, describing it as the site of ” a great ‘duel’ between God, who came to save us, and man, who wants to save only himself; between faith in God and worship of self; between man who accuses and God who excuses.”

In the end, said the Pope, God’s victory was revealed; His mercy came down upon the earth.

” Jesus’ arms, outstretched on the cross, mark the turning point, for God points a finger at no one, but instead embraces all. For love alone extinguishes hatred, love alone can ultimately triumph over injustice. Love alone makes room for others. Love alone is the path towards full communion among us.”

Unity and fraternity

Finally, Pope Francis prayed God might grant us the grace to be more united and fraternal.

“The closer we become to the Lord Jesus, the more we will be open and ‘universal’, since we will feel responsible for others. And others will become the means of our own salvation: all others, every human person, whatever his or her history and beliefs. Beginning with the poor, who are those most like Jesus.” 

In being more fraternal, concluded the Pope, we become more “credible witnesses of the true God.” 

Previous Post

Pope signs Rome 2020 Appeal for Peace

Next Post

Pope Francis: ‘No one is saved alone’

Related Posts

Jul 19 2025
Readings

Jul 19 2025

July 19, 2025
Bishops of Myanmar’s war-torn regions: ‘Let us not lose faith’
Asia

Bishops of Myanmar’s war-torn regions: ‘Let us not lose faith’

July 18, 2025
Welcome Back, Fr David A Garaman! Celebrating His 49th Birthday and Return to St Mary’s Cathedral Parish
Local

Welcome Back, Fr David A Garaman! Celebrating His 49th Birthday and Return to St Mary’s Cathedral Parish

July 18, 2025
Next Post
Pope Francis: ‘No one is saved alone’

Pope Francis: ‘No one is saved alone’

Recent News

Bishops of Myanmar’s war-torn regions: ‘Let us not lose faith’

Bishops of Myanmar’s war-torn regions: ‘Let us not lose faith’

July 18, 2025
Welcome Back, Fr David A Garaman! Celebrating His 49th Birthday and Return to St Mary’s Cathedral Parish

Welcome Back, Fr David A Garaman! Celebrating His 49th Birthday and Return to St Mary’s Cathedral Parish

July 18, 2025
Pope renews call for ceasefire in Gaza after attack on Catholic parish

Pope renews call for ceasefire in Gaza after attack on Catholic parish

July 18, 2025
2027 WYD in Seoul will be a turning point for youths: Vatican official

2027 WYD in Seoul will be a turning point for youths: Vatican official

July 18, 2025
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Minor reshuffle and new appointment of priests

Minor reshuffle and new appointment of priests

July 15, 2024
Enggan punya anak, antara sebab perpisahan suami-isteri

Enggan punya anak, antara sebab perpisahan suami-isteri

May 20, 2025
Minor transfer of priests

Minor transfer of priests

November 11, 2023
Tender Notice St Catherine of Laboure Church, Putatan

Tender Notice St Catherine of Laboure Church, Putatan

April 29, 2025
The Church wants to be more the ‘inn’ of the Good Samaritan for the sick

The Church wants to be more the ‘inn’ of the Good Samaritan for the sick

Parishioners are invited to help form prophetic and servant priests

Parishioners are invited to help form prophetic and servant priests

Archdiocesan Notice on SSPX

Archdiocesan Notice on SSPX

April 28 2020

April 28 2020

Jul 19 2025

Jul 19 2025

July 19, 2025
Bishops of Myanmar’s war-torn regions: ‘Let us not lose faith’

Bishops of Myanmar’s war-torn regions: ‘Let us not lose faith’

July 18, 2025
Welcome Back, Fr David A Garaman! Celebrating His 49th Birthday and Return to St Mary’s Cathedral Parish

Welcome Back, Fr David A Garaman! Celebrating His 49th Birthday and Return to St Mary’s Cathedral Parish

July 18, 2025
Pope renews call for ceasefire in Gaza after attack on Catholic parish

Pope renews call for ceasefire in Gaza after attack on Catholic parish

July 18, 2025
Catholic Sabah

Catholic Sabah is a media organization based in Sabah Malaysia. We bring you the latest Catholic news right to your doorstep!

Follow Us

Browse by Category

  • Asia
  • Bahasa Melayu
  • Borneo: Ordinary Person, Extraordinary Faith
  • Chinese
  • Feature
  • Focus
  • Im on my Way
  • JUBILEE 2025
  • Kadazan Dusun
  • Kanou Monuhid Lahan Koposizon
  • Local
  • Making A Difference
  • Mantad Di Katekis Peter
  • Nation
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Readings
  • Reflection: Straight Talking
  • Statements
  • Vatican
  • World

Recent Additions

Jul 19 2025

Bishops of Myanmar’s war-torn regions: ‘Let us not lose faith’

Welcome Back, Fr David A Garaman! Celebrating His 49th Birthday and Return to St Mary’s Cathedral Parish

Pope renews call for ceasefire in Gaza after attack on Catholic parish

2027 WYD in Seoul will be a turning point for youths: Vatican official

Pope Leo XIV: Seek grace to pursue path of unity and fraternal charity

  • About
  • Contact

© 2024 Catholic Sabah - Powered by KK Top Web.

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Feature
  • Statements
  • Chinese
  • Bahasa Melayu
  • Kadazan Dusun
  • JUBILEE 2025
  • About
  • Donate

© 2024 Catholic Sabah - Powered by KK Top Web.