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Published On: Fri, Sep 25th, 2015

Pope Francis: Jesus Christ’s life ended in failure, ‘failure of the cross’

Critics of Pope Francis have been loud and increasing as the remarks of social justice and climate change have excited the leftists in America, the Pope went a step further when he discussed the “failure” of Jesus’ life and the “failure of the cross.”

Pope Francis’ first stop in New York was at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan, where, at an evening prayer, he touched on the spirit of gratitude and hard work before making the shocking statement.

“The cross shows us a different way of measuring success. Ours is to plant the seeds. God sees to the fruits of our labors. And if at times our efforts and works seem to fail and not produce fruit, we need to remember that we are followers of Jesus Christ and his life, humanly speaking, ended in failure, the failure of the cross.” (Emphasis added, the Dispatch)

Needless to say, evangelicals are outraged and will likely expect and apology or explanation.

TRANSCRIPT:

A second area is the spirit of hard work. The grateful heart is spontaneously impelled to serve the lord and to find expression in a life of commitment to our work. Once we realize how much god has given us, we learn that a life of sacrifice, of working for him and for others, becomes a privileged way, a privileged way of responding to his great love.

Yet, if we are honest, we must recognize how easily this spirit of generous self-sacrifice can be dampened. There are a couple of ways that this can happen. And both are examples of the spiritual worldliness which weakens our commitment to serve as dedicated men and women.

A portrait of Pope Francis taken in Vatican City on August 5, 2014. Photo credit: Daniele Cataldi/Demotix/Corbis courtesy of Weta.org

A portrait of Pope Francis taken in Vatican City on August 5, 2014. Photo credit: Daniele Cataldi/Demotix/Corbis courtesy of Weta.org

And it diminishes the wonder of our first encounter with Christ. We can get caught up in measuring the value of our apostolic works by the standards of efficiency, good management and outward success, which govern the business world.

Not that these things are unimportant, of course. But we have been entrusted with a great responsibility, and this is why god’s people rightly expect accountability from us but the true worth of our apostolate is measured by the value it has in god’s eyes, to see and evaluate things from god’s perspective, calls for constant conversion in the first days and years of our vocation and, need I say, it demands great humility.

The cross shows us a different way of measuring success. Ours is to plant the seeds. God sees to the fruits of our labors. And if at times our efforts and works seem to fail and not produce fruit, we need to remember that we are followers of Jesus Christ and his life, humanly speaking, ended in failure, the failure of the cross.

Another danger — another danger emerges when we become jealous of our free time, when we think that surrounding ourselves with worldly comforts help us to serve better. The problem with this way of reasoning is that it can blunt the power of god’s daily call to conversion, to encounter with him.

Slowly but surely, it diminishes our spirit of sacrifice, our spirit of renunciation and our spirit of hard work. It also alienates people who suffer material poverty and who are forced to make greater sacrifices than those that we make ourselves.

Rest is needed, as are moments of leisure and self-enrichment, but we need to learn to rest in a way that deepens our desire to serve with generosity. Closeness to the poor, the refugee, the immigrant, the sick, the exploited, the elderly living alone, prisoners and all god’s other poor, will teach us a different way of resting, one which is more Christian and generous.

 

 

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  1. Pope Francis: Jesus Failed on the Cross | SourcesNews Network says:

    […] Source: Global Dispatch […]

  2. Cuidado con los falsos profetas de vestiduras blancas | El Evangelio Segun Jesucristo says:

    […] "Tenemos que recordar que somos seguidores de Jesús … y su vida, humanamente hablando, terminó en un fracaso, el fracaso de la […]

  3. Sharon D says:

    Let’s examine this statement within the context of what is previously said: “The cross shows us a different way of measuring success.” Here the pope is stating the cross was a success. He continues, “If our efforts … seem to fail and not produce fruit, we need to remember that we are followers of Jesus Christ” … This is paralleling the things in our life that SEEM to be failures, just as the cross SEEMED to be a failure to those witnessing the crucifixion. This is why the pope referred to “The seeds of success”. When Christ died, there wasn’t immediate victory … only seeming failure from a human vantage point — to those there watching him die and be buried, and their hopes seemingly with him … but after 3 days, the battle was won as he rose up from the grave in victory. I believe this to be what the pope was trying to communicate in a nutshell: From a human perspective, at the time of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion, his life seemed to end in failure, but seeds were planted in his death which produced the fruit of victory.

    • Father José says:

      Sharon D. has understood the sermon well. “Humanly speaking” is the specific context of the “failure” that Pontifex Maximus acknowledges correctly. Crucifixion between two also-crucified thieves seems like failure for a virgin-born Messiah. Most American Protestants are apparently getting upset over a misunderstanding of the Pope’s inspired message. Don’t fall ’til you’re hit, America! Praise Jesus, the Christ, daily! Your enemy is not the Pope. It’s S-boss! – Father José

  4. Ghost Rider says:

    Christ death on the cross was NOT a FAILURE but a SUCCESS. Christ came to earth with the sole purpose to die on the Cross as the “PERFECT SACRIFICE” that no mortal man could have done. Do you not think that at any time Christ could have said “No, I’m not going to do this” and stepped down from the cross? As a matter of fact at any time during his 33 years on earth He could have stopped it. The entire “Plan of Salvation” was for Him to die on the Cross and rise from the dead on the third day. Since that is what happened—–MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

    • Paul says:

      Firstly, look at the origins of the symbol of the cross, Jesus was crucified on a stake not a cross. The symbol of the cross has it’s origins in paganism and is actually the symbol of tumuz (Ezekiel 8). In an effort to convert pagans to Christianity the cross was accepted as the symbol. The reality is the pagans converted the Christians. So if the cross is the symbol of paganism then yes Jesus failed it. The Pope knows this, he knows Catholicism is really modern day paganism, His statement here proves it.
      Research, don’t believe what mainstream church is selling….

    • What he said says:

      No kidding! It’s called the VICTORY on the cross!

  5. Pope Francis Said Christ Failed On The Cross | Cultural Marxism says:

    […] Francis’ Homily at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, New York Times, SEPT. 24, 2015 [8] Laura Jones, Pope Francis: Jesus Christ’s life ended in failure, ‘failure of the cross’, The Global Dispatch, Fri, Sep 25th, […]

  6. RG says:

    I understand what he meant but the main focus of his sperch is obviously good works. Besides his “god ” is not my GOD. At the cross Jesus suffered and died for my sins and conquered death for my sins.The cross is not the finish work of Jesus Christ. His work on earth ended at His resurrection that’s when He conquered death. Our salvation is not measured by good works and just humility. Our salvation is measured by a mustard seed of FAITH IN HIM.

  7. JuniaLee says:

    This makes so much sense. This is why they still have Jesus crucified on the cross and carry him around. They also worship many idols because they don’t believe Jesus was all powerful and carried ALL of our sins on the cross. Salvation and forgiveness comes only through the blood of Jesus. The pope cannot forgive your sins, neither can a priest. Jesus is our God, there is no other. Acts 4:12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

  8. Red List News – Episode 30 says:

    […] Article 3 […]

  9. Ray says:

    So, the blame has been context, the translation of his words and just a general bias by the Pope’s haters?

    Sadly, this is the delusion of those seeing the Pope as infallible.

    I agree with Brandon that it’s the words use, the analogy itself, that is the problem.

  10. Drayyard says:

    Sigh. I have lots of issues with this Pope, but clearly the liberal media want to pretend his statements are far more liberal and revolutionary than they really are. And my born-again brothers and sisters eat it all up, and interpret every innocent little thing as more evidence he is the anti-Christ (like all Popes before him). Pope Francis is clearly saying that if you judge just in human terms Jesus’ life ended in failure, so don’t judge things just in human terms. If you are seeing these words as the Pope claiming Jesus’ life was a failure, please take a breath, say a prayer, and re-read the statement. God Bless.

    • Drayyard says:

      And then ask yourself about the motivations of a website that makes calls this story: Pope Francis: Jesus Christ’s life ended in failure, ‘failure of the cross’

    • Joe says:

      Sorry, but you are wrong. I am a Catholic. What he said was that Jesus’ human life ended in failure. This is perhaps the only time he hasn’t needed a whole wagon of people clarifying ‘what he said’, because it is so clear. Clearly wrong.

  11. John B says:

    “… and if at times our efforts and works seem to fail, and not produce fruit; we need to remember that we are followers of Jesus Christ and…and His life, humanly speaking, ended in failure; the failure of the cross.”

    One cannot isolate one phrase from the context of a paragraph. Doing so has resulted in some of the worst atrocities among religions in human history and one of the techniques the Pharisees utilized to try and trap Jesus. The key word that sets the metaphor, “the failure of the Cross…” is the phrase, “humanly speaking.” It’s clear the Pope is differentiating between spiritual wisdom and human wisdom. In the philosophy of humanism, the cross was a failure for it is written, “…the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing.” But in God’s wisdom, the cross was the ultimate plan for mankind’s salvation. The Pope is implying this difference metaphorically. He is not saying the cross was a failure. For he also says, “we are followers of Jesus Christ.”

  12. JTB says:

    “… and if at times our efforts and works seem to fail, and not produce fruit; we need to remember that we are followers of Jesus Christ and…and His life, humanly speaking, ended in failure; the failure of the cross.”

    One cannot isolate one phrase from the context of a paragraph. Doing so has resulted in some of the worst atrocities among religions in human history and one of the techniques the Pharisees utilized to try and trap Jesus. The key word that sets the metaphor, “the failure of the Cross…” is the phrase, “humanly speaking.” It’s clear the Pope is differentiating between spiritual wisdom and human wisdom. In the philosophy of humanism, the cross was a failure for it is written, “…the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing.” But in God’s wisdom, the cross was the ultimate plan for mankind’s salvation. The Pope is implying this difference metaphorically. He is not saying the cross was a failure. For he also says, “we are followers of Jesus Christ.”

    One also has to remember there is often no direct translation to English for many words and metaphors. The only mistake the Pope made was overestimating his audience’s ability to comprehend a simple metaphor concerning humanism vs. Godly widsom.

  13. Mary says:

    A priest collected meditations and prayers and put them in his book. Failure of the cross comes from a meditation on the 11th station of the Cross in which Pope Francis wrote about. “It is on the cross that Jesus definitively takes on failure and evil, and he transcends them. There his love is shown to be boundless because only those who love much possess the freedom and vitality of Spirit to accept failure. When everything is lost, when no one is left, that’s when God intervenes.”

  14. Frans i USA | Kristendom for kristne says:

    […] I sin preken i St. Patrick’s Cathedral på Manhattan i New York, sier Frans at Jesu Kristi liv feilet ved korset: http://www.theglobaldispatch.com/pope-francis-jesus-christs-life-ended-in-failure-failure-of-the-cro… […]

  15. Pope Francis: Jesus Christ’s life ended in failure, ‘failure of the cross’ | News FeedNews Feed says:

    […] Pope Francis’ first stop in New York was at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan, where, at an evening prayer, he touched on the spirit of gratitude and hard work before making the shocking statement. “The cross shows us a different way of measuring …read more […]

  16. JD Pierce says:

    The headline is misleading. I thought the Dispatch was better than this.

    “The cross shows us a different way of measuring success. Ours is to plant the seeds: God sees to the fruits of our labors. And if at times our efforts and works seem to fail and produce no fruit, we need to remember that we are followers of Jesus… and his life, humanly speaking, ended in failure, the failure of the cross.”

    He is clearly speaking of human failure, with the cross showing another way, quite the opposite of what you are either negligently or purposely implying.

    • Brandon Jones says:

      I am saying that the Pope’s analogy or point is dreadfully incorrect and an inaccurate of Jesus’ legacy no matter what you think/feel of Christ. Had the Pope ended with a comment on Victory or how we see the cross then this would not be an issue. Sadly, he just moved on an focused on works…works? How could the life of Jesus become a failure because he was brutally murdered – it doesn’t make sense and takes away from both his “human” legacy and his godly purpose

  17. Pope Francis: Jesus Christ’s life ended in failure, ‘failure of the cross’ - News Aggregator says:

    […] Read more at The Global Dispatch Related News Pope Francis speaks before Congress, full transcript Pope Francis challenged the US Congress and America on Thursday to break out of its cycle of paralysis and use its power to heal the “open wounds” of a planet … READ MORE Pope Francis evokes MLK, ‘new global forms of slavery’ and immigration topics The challenges facing us today call for a renewal of that spirit of cooperation, which has accomplished so much good throughout the history of the United States. The complexity, the … READ MORE Pope Francis: abolish the death penalty, help Syrian refugees, redistribute your wealth, talks climate change Transcript via TIME: Our world is facing a refugee crisis of a magnitude not seen since the Second World War. This presents us with great challenges and many hard decisions. … READ MORE Pope Francis to Congress: no religion is free from ‘individual delusion or ideological extremism’ My visit takes place at a time when men and women of good will are marking the anniversaries of several great Americans. The complexities of history and the reality of … READ MORE The Latest: Blessed by Pope Francis, disabled girl beams NEW YORK (AP) — Latest developments in Pope Francis' visit to the United States. All times local:6:25 p.m.A disabled 12-year-old girl and her family say she has new hope after … READ MORE This family is driving 1,300 miles in a VW bus to see Pope Francis The U.S. visit of Pope Francis, a fellow Argentinian, inspired a Buenos Aires family to uproot their lives and drive 13,000 miles to see him.Read more from The Washington Post.Read … READ MORE Catholic Church drops new mobile app with exclusive coverage of Pope Francis visit Leadership of the Catholic Church in the United States has introduced its first mobile app: USA Catholic Church. Designed to draw millions of Catholics closer to their faith by providing … READ MORE Pope Francis to Release Pop-Rock Album ‘Wake Up!’ As Pope Francis embarks on his historic visit to the United States, His Holiness will spread his message of hope, faith and unity in the form of a prog-rock-infused album … READ MORE Pope Francis speaks before Congress, full transcript Pope Francis evokes MLK, ‘new global forms of Pope Francis: abolish the death penalty, help Syrian Pope Francis to Congress: no religion is free The Latest: Blessed by Pope Francis, disabled girl This family is driving 1,300 miles in a Catholic Church drops new mobile app with exclusive Pope Francis to Release Pop-Rock Album ‘Wake Up!’ var hupso_services_c=new Array("twitter","facebook_like","facebook_send","google");var hupso_counters_lang = "en_GB";var hupso_image_folder_url = "";var hupso_url_c="";var hupso_title_c="Pope Francis: Jesus Christ’s life ended in failure, ‘failure of the cross’"; […]

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