Pope
Francis will visit Abu Dhabi, UAE February 3-5. While visiting the Catholic community
in the region, the pope's mission appears to be modeled on Saint Francis of
Assisi. As the crusades were taking place
large numbers of Europeans were heading to the Holy Land in order to defend
Christians with the willingness to follow the steps of Jesus. Weapons were employed and a desire to
lay down one’s life. However, Saint Francis is an alternative
and very much the imitation of Jesus. Not only is he willing to go to Jerusalem
and die as a martyr, Francis is also willing to take up the preaching of the
Gospel (without arms), which he did before the Sultan al-Malik al-Kamil in
Egypt. Apparently he did not entirely convince
him, but Francis did appear to win the hearts and minds of others with his
approach.
 |
Saint Mary's Catholic Church in Dubai, UAE (REUTERS/JUMANA ELHELOUEH)
|
No comments:
Post a Comment