...both the literary evidence of the New Testament and modern archaeology confirm that Christians have come together for the Eucharist from the very beginning of the Church. This is profoundly significant. Being a Christian has always meant more than just one’s own personal belief and devotion. To be Christian means to be part of the Church gathered together for the Eucharist.
The image of the Pope of the Poor, in his white cassock and pressing his palm in prayer against the graffiti-covered concrete Wall of Separation, is a new and much needed icon of the necessity of prayer for peace in the world.
Unfortunately, anyone today who dares to express a belief contrary to what is proclaimed as politically correct is quickly labelled a bigot and accused of hate speech. If we do not return to a proper understanding of tolerance and truth, we will lose our freedom of speech. Worse yet, we will fashion a society that is fundamentally intolerant of true diversity.
Our Christian faith tells us that we must love the truth because to love the truth is to love the one who told us: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (Jn 14:6). When we see the truth in terms of our personal relationship with Jesus, we are not hindered by a distorted sense of tolerance to speak the truth in charity.