The Pope Has Some Hard Hitting Thoughts On Death and What we should be Doing Now

Basically he saying we need to get ready for it now. How do we get ready for it? Well here are his remarks from yesterdays Angelus translated at the Ratzinger forum here. The bold is mine. I have some thoughts at the end of a Apologetic nature.

Dear brothers and sisters,

Today's liturgy proposes to us a statement of Christ which is illuminating but at the same time disconcerting. During his last journey towards Jerusalem, someone asked him: "Lord, will only a few people be saved?"

Jesus answers: "Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough." (Lk 13, 23-24). What does this 'narrow gate' mean? Why will many not succeed in entering it? Is it perhaps reserved only to a few elect? In effect, we can well see that this has always been the reasoning by Jesus's interlocutors: there has always been the temptation to interpret religious practice as a source of privileges or security.

In fact, Christ's message is exactly the opposite: everyone can enter life, but for everyone the gate is 'narrow'. No one is privileged. The way to eternal life is open to all, but it is 'narrow' because it is demanding, it requires commitment, abnegation, a mortification of our own ego. Once again, as in the past few Sundays, the Gospel invites us to consider the future which awaits us and for which we should prepare during our pilgrimage on earth.

Salvation, which Jesus effected through his death and resurrection, is universal. He is the only Redeemer and he invites all of us to the banquet of immortal life. But on one and the same condition: that we must try to follow and imitate him, taking upon ourselves, as he did, our own Cross, and dedicating our life to the service of our brothers.

Therefore, this condition for entering into celestial life is singular but universal. On the final day, Jesus reminds us in the Gospel, we are not going to be judged on the basis of presumed privileges but according to our works. So the 'workers of evil' will find themselves excluded, while those who did good and sought justice, at the cost of sacrifices, will be welcomed.

Nor will it suffice to declare ourselves 'friends' of Christ, alleging false merits: "We ate and drank in your presence, and you have taught in our squares" (Lk 13,26). True friendship with Christ is expressed in how we live: it is expressed with goodness of heart, with humility, kindness and mercy, love for justice and truth, sincere and honest commitment to peace and reconciliation. This, we might say, is the 'identity card' that qualifies us as authentic 'friends' of Christ. This is the 'passport' that will allow us to enter into eternal life.

Dear brothers and sisters, if we wish ourselves to pass through the narrow gate, we should learn to be small, that is, humble of heart like Jesus. Like Mary, his mother and ours. It was she, first among all, who followed the way of the Cross behind her Son, and was assumed to the glory of heaven, as we remembered several days ago. The Christian people invoke Mary as Ianua Caeli, gate of heaven. Let us ask her to guide us in our daily choices along the way which will lead us to the 'gate of Heaven.'

Later he said in English:

I am happy to greet all the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors. May your stay at Castel Gandolfo and Rome renew your love of the universal Church. I welcome the new seminarians of the Pontifical North American College, and pray that their formative years in Rome will help them to grow in wisdom and pastoral charity. Among you I welcome the participants in the cycling pilgrimage from Canterbury Cathedral to Rome. You have cycled the traditional Via Francigena, following in the footsteps of so many men and women of faith on their way to the tombs of Peter and Paul. I pray that your visit will be a time of spiritual and ecumenical enrichment. May Christ keep you and your families in his love.

To the Muslim, Orthodox, Lutheran and Catholic religious leaders from Kazakhstan, present at today’s Angelus, I wish to extend warm greetings. Your gathering in Assisi and in Padua, together with your meetings in the Vatican, are a sure sign of the hope that mutual understanding and respect between religious communities can overcome distrust and promote the way of peace which springs from truth. Be assured of my prayers for the success of your visit and may your efforts bear much fruit for the noble land of Kazakhstan and beyond!

Once again, he had a special message for Polish pilgrims:

I greet all Poles. Today, the Church in Poland celebrates the solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Czestochowa. I join the prayers of the bishops and faithful gathered in Jasna Gora. I entrust the present and future destinies of your nation to the protection of Mary. God bless you.

First there are a couple of interesting events here he mentions that I am going to keep a eye on. I have always wanted to cycle Europe and I am going to find more out on that Cycling pilgrimage he is talking about.

However let me hit a Apologetic note. I am going to watch some of the anti Catholic sites today and see if they pick up on the Pope's Angelus. I suspect they will twist his words. Faith and Works are important for salvation. I am sure some anti Catholics will twist the Pope's words here. It is important to realize that the work's that the Pope says is necessary but be grounded and rooted in Faith. I will see if the usual suspects fail to tell the whole story again.