If you are not willing to have dialogue, you are disobeying God, says Pope Francis.
During this morning’s homily at his daily Mass at Casa Santa Marta, the Pope made this statement and warned against those who preach against the newness of God. The Holy Father offered today’s Mass for Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who celebrates his 88th birthday.
Reflecting on the theme of dialoguing, the Pontiff said, «Obeying God means having the courage to change paths.»The Pope recalled the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, recounting the priests and leaders who ordered that Jesus’ disciples stop preaching the Gospel to the people.
«They became infuriated and full of jealousy,» as they saw miracles taking place in the disciples midst and the number of believers growing, Francis said.
«This is the drama of these teachers of Israel, of these theologians of the people of God: they didn’t know to listen, they didn’t know how to dialogue. Dialogue takes place with God and with the brethren.»
The Pontiff said, «They did everything they could to not open themselves to the voice of God.
The Argentine Pope stressed that this resentment of those spreading the Gospel in Jesus’ time increased as their egos were further offended, and expressed that similarly resentment exists today.
The Holy Father warned against those «who want to silence those who preach the newness of God.»
In this Mass, the Pontiff urged, let us pray for the teachers, doctors, and those who teach the people of God, «that they would not be closed in on themselves» and «that they would dialogue.»
Only if they open themselves in this way, he said, they will «save themselves from the wrath of God, which, if they do not change their attitude, will remain upon them.»
