I am not going to go back into the flock of the Catholic Church anytime soon. I know that. However, Pope Francis does continue to intrigue me.

Who Is Jorge Mario Bergoglio?I am a sinner. This is the most accurate definition. It is not a figure of speech, a literary genre. I am a sinner.I ask Pope Francis point-blank: “Who is Jorge Mario Bergoglio?” He stares at me in silence. I ask him if I may ask him this question. He nods and replies: “I ​​do not know what might be the most fitting description…. I am a sinner. This is the most accurate definition. It is not a figure of speech, a literary genre. I am a sinner.”The pope continues to reflect and concentrate, as if he did not expect this question, as if he were forced to reflect further. “Yes, perhaps I can say that I am a bit astute, that I can adapt to circumstances, but it is also true that I am a bit naïve. Yes, but the best summary, the one that comes more from the inside and I feel most true is this: I am a sinner whom the Lord has looked upon.” And he repeats: “I ​​am one who is looked upon by the Lord. I always felt my motto, Miserando atque Eligendo [By Having Mercy and by Choosing Him], was very true for me.”

via A Big Heart Open to God | America Magazine.

 

Keith "Maggie" Brown Avatar

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6 responses to “Interview with Pope Francis I”

  1. lotharson Avatar

    I am a former Evangelical having become a non-denominational Christian and I really love Pope Francis!

    That said while it is certain I sin I have huge problems with this notion of being a born sinner having been cursed by God with a sinful nature.
    I think it is a blasphemous Augustinian teaching which has been polluting Western Christianity ever since the fifth century. I find the Eastern Orthodox interpretation of the fall philosophically much more acceptable.

    I would be very glad to learn yout thoughts on that!

    Friendly greetings from continental Europe.

    Lothars Sohn – Lothar’s son

    Thematic list of ALL posts on this blog

    1. Keith Wayne Brown Avatar

      Thanks for your comment Lothars. Always welcome.

      Having been a novice monk in the Order of St. Augustine, I comprehend the reasons Augie made this move. However, I too came to disagree with it. Now that I have grown older and become more of a philosopher than a theologian, I only think of myself as a “christopher”–someone who bears up the Christ as paradigm–and lean more toward Daoism.

      I am not familiar with the Greek Orthodox interpretation… might you enlighten me?

      _/|\_

      1. lotharson Avatar

        Hello Keith.

        A good introduction about this view on atonement can be found here:

        http://curiousprimatebs.blogspot.de/2007/05/eastern-orthodox-understanding-of.html

        I really like both philosophy and theology and I am sure there are quite a few things on my blog which could interest you :=)

        Friendly greetings from continental Europe.

        Lothars Sohn – Lothar’s son

        Thematic list of ALL posts on this blog

      2. Keith Wayne Brown Avatar

        Thank you so much for this Lothars. I finally had a chance to sit down and read this with my beloved friend, and we found it very enlightening and thought provoking. Blessings!

  2. John Stefanyszyn Avatar

    Jorge Bergoglio said that he is a sinner.
    To be a sinner is one who continues to disobey the Will of the One God and who continues to live according to the freedom to do his own will.
    Jorge Bergoglio has confessed and continues to confess that it is RIGHT TO BE FREE to worship any ‘god’, any ‘religion’.

    BUT there is Only One Creator God whose identity is clearly define by His Son Jesus Christ…and it is Only Christ that will rule according to the Will of His Father and NOT according to the ‘freedom will’ of man.

    Jorge Bergoglio is a sinner and continues to be a sinner.

    1. Keith Wayne Brown Avatar

      We have all fallen short of the glory of GOD.Thanks for reiterating that point.

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