Our review of Pope Francis' "Twitter Theology" continues!
Previously, we've looked at his papal tweets on the Blessed Virgin Mary and the cross of our salvation. This week, the topic is our guardian in the faith, that "mystical body": Holy Mother Church.
Jesus said he would found a Church on Peter the Rock, and that the gates of Hades would not prevail against it. (Matthew 16.18) No one is a Christian island, we all receive the faith from someone else. The Church is the means by which Christ brings the Gospel to the world and applies his grace to individuals. And as a result, no Christian can reject Christ's Church and still claim to be following Christ. As St. Cyprian of Carthage famously put it in the 3rd century, "He can no longer have God for his Father, who has not the Church for his mother." (On the Unity of the Church, 6)
Pope Francis has had similar things to say, as you'll see in these ten tweets.
We do not become Christians by ourselves. Faith is above all a gift from God which is given to us in and through the Church.
— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) September 27, 2013
The Church has no other meaning and finality than to witness to Jesus. May we not forget this.
— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) September 23, 2013
One cannot separate Christ and the Church. The grace of Baptism gives us the joy of following Christ in and with the Church.
— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) August 11, 2013
The Church is young, as everyone can see at WYD. May the Lord always keep us all young at heart. #Rio2013#JMJ
— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) July 23, 2013
Let us never forget that it is the Lord who guides the Church. He is the one who makes our apostolates fruitful.
— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) June 21, 2013
Let the Church always be a place of mercy and hope, where everyone is welcomed, loved and forgiven.
— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) June 16, 2013
In this Year of Faith, we pray to the Lord that the Church may always be a true family that brings God’s love to everyone.
— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) June 1, 2013
The Church is born from the supreme act of love on the Cross, from Jesus’ open side. The Church is a family where we love and are loved.
— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) May 29, 2013
Dear young people, the Church expects great things of you and your generosity. Don’t be afraid to aim high.
— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) May 28, 2013
We cannot keep ourselves shut up in parishes, in our communities, when so many people are waiting for the Gospel! #Rio2013#JMJ
— Pope Francis (@Pontifex) July 28, 2013
And today we celebrate...