Pope Francis: meek Christians are not weak

On Wednesday Pope Francis said that a mild Christian is not weak, but defends his faith and controls his temper.

“The meek person is not easygoing, but he is a disciple of Christ who has learned to defend another land well. He defends his peace, defends his relationship with God and defends his gifts, preserving mercy, brotherhood, trust and hope, ”Pope Francis said on February 19 in the Paul VI Hall.

The pope reflected on the third beatitude of Christ's sermon on the Mount: "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth."

“Meekness manifests itself in times of conflict, you can see how you react to a hostile situation. Anyone can seem meek when everything is calm, but how does he react "under pressure" if he is attacked, offended, attacked? ”Pope Francis asked.

“A moment of anger can destroy many things; you lose control and don't value what's really important and you can ruin the relationship with a sibling, ”she said. “On the other hand, meekness conquers many things. Meekness is able to win hearts, save friendships and much more, because people get angry, but then they calm down, rethink and retrace their steps, and you can rebuild ”.

Pope Francis quoted St. Paul's description of the "sweetness and meekness of Christ" and said that St. Peter also called attention to this quality of Jesus in his passion in 1 Peter 2:23 when Christ "did not answer and did not threaten because 'he entrusted himself to him who judges with justice' "

The pope also pointed to examples from the Old Testament, citing Psalm 37, which likewise links "meekness" with land ownership.

“In Scripture the word 'meek' also indicates one who has no landed property; and so we are struck by the fact that the third beatitude says precisely that the meek will "inherit the earth," "he said.

“Ownership of land is a typical area of ​​conflict: people often fight for a territory, to obtain hegemony over a specific area. In wars the strongest prevails and conquers other lands “, he added.

Pope Francis said that the meek do not conquer the land, "inherit" it.

"The People of God call the land of Israel which is the Promised Land" inheritance "... That land is a promise and a gift for the people of God, and becomes a sign of something much greater and deeper than a simple territory" , He said.

The meek inherits "the most sublime of territories", Francis said, describing paradise, and the land he conquers is "the heart of others".

“There is no land more beautiful than the hearts of others, there is no land more beautiful to be gained than the peace found with a brother. And this is the land to be inherited with meekness, ”Pope Francis said.