Pontiff Cautions Against Putting God Aside

Recalls That His Plan Is Loving and Wise

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CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, AUG. 28, 2011 (Zenit.org).- Seeking only money and success implies reasoning “according to the world” and putting God aside, says Benedict XVI.

The Pope reminded the faithful of this lesson when he reflected on today’s Gospel before praying the midday Angelus. The crowd gathered at Castel Gandolfo included many enthusiastic young people, who took up the chant from Madrid’s World Youth Day: “Esta es la juventud del Papa” (These are the Pope’s young people).

The Holy Father reflected on how Peter’s protest at Christ’s announcement of the passion is replayed today, “when the fulfillment of one’s life is directed solely to social success, to physical and economic wellbeing.”

<p>In such a case, he warned, “then one no longer reasons according to God, but according to men. To think according to the world is to put God aside, not to accept his plan of love, almost impeding the fulfillment of his wise will.”

Instead, Benedict XVI invited Christians to follow Christ by accepting the cross with love, though “in the eyes of the world [this] seems a defeat and a ‘loss of life.'”

“But the Christian knows that he does not carry the cross alone but with Jesus, sharing in his way of donation,” the Pontiff affirmed. “By willingly accepting the cross, Jesus carries the cross of all men and becomes the source of salvation for the whole of humanity.”

After the Angelus, the Pontiff congratulated Bishop Marcello Semeraro of Albano, the diocese in which Castel Gandolfo is located. On Sept. 8, the bishop will mark his 40th anniversary as a priest.

As well, the Holy Father congratulated Archbishop Bruno Musarò, just named the apostolic nuncio in Cuba, who will also celebrate his 40th anniversary, on Sept. 19.

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Full text: www.zenit.org/article-33303?l=english

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