There seems to be an awful lot of confusion over this word "triumphalism" with people saying "Surely not I, Lord?" I had thought about writing a rant about this but actually it seems simple enough. I did look up the word "triumph" though and the definitions that came back were
1 a great victory or achievement
2 the processional entry of a victorious general into ancient Rome.
“There are so many Christians without the
Resurrection, Christians without the Risen Christ: they accompany Jesus
to the grave, they weep, they love him, but that’s it,” Francis said. As
I thought about the kinds of Christians who live without the Risen
Christ, three came to my mind, but there are so many more. I thought of
the fearful, fearful Christians; the embarrassed, those who feel
embarrassment and the triumphalists. Neither of these three types met
with the Risen Christ! The fearful are the ones who like the disciples
of Emmaus who leave on the morning of the Resurrection because they are
scared. “
Christian “triumphalists” “do not know the meaning
of the word ' triumph '” “because they have such an inferiority complex
and want to do this ... When we look at these Christians, with their
many triumphalist attitudes, in their lives, in their speeches and in
their pastoral theology, liturgy, so many things, it is because they do
not believe deep down in the Risen One. He is the Winner, the Risen One.
He won. This is the message that Paul gives to us " Christ "is
everything," he is totality and hope, "because he is the Bridegroom, the
Winner,” Francis added. (Pope Francis' homily from Vatican Insider)
One thing I wish is that the Papal sermons were published in their entirety.
ReplyDeleteI just wish I knew what he means when he say things. The intellectual Benedict was so much easier to comprehend. It's almost like we've been dumbed down. I don't mean to be critical but I really can't read Francis anymore. It is just too frustrating.
ReplyDeleteI miss Benedict. I have to be honest.
I think Pope Francis is warning us that if we try to refashion Jesus according to our desires, we create a false Christ, an idol. It is a daily struggle to keep our eyes on the real Christ. He challenges us in our sins!!!
ReplyDeleteThe only "processional entry of a victorious general" we have any right to expect is the second coming of Jesus in glory.
ReplyDeleteI wish La Stampa published the entire sermon. It is unscholarly to indulge in journalistic editing. Either publish everything the pope said or nothing.
ReplyDeleteSt. Philip Neri had a good one line sermon against any form of triumphalism: "but, by the grace of God go I"