Pope Francis: Meekness unites us, anger drives us apart

Source: Vatican News

During the weekly General Audience, held today in the Pope Paul VI Hall, Pope Francis reflected on the third Beatitude of Matthew's Gospel: 'Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.' The Pope said a meek person is kind and shuns violence, refusing to grow angry when passions run high.

But he warned: "Anyone can seem meek when all is calm... but how do we react when 'under pressure' or are attacked, offended, or assaulted?"

Pope Francis said Jesus is a model of meekness especially in how He suffered the Passion.

He added that the Scriptures use the term "meek" for the poor and those without land. So Jesus' statement that the meek will inherit the earth would seem contradictory. But he promises it all the same, said the Pope. "It is the Promised Land."

"That land is a promise and a gift for the people of God, and becomes a sign of something much greater than a piece of ground." The third Beatitude ultimately points us to our heavenly homeland, he said.

The Pope went on to describe the traits of a meek disciple of Christ. "He or she has learned to defend their peace, their relationship with God, and the gifts of God: mercy, fraternity, trust, and hope."

Anger, said Pope Francis, is the opposite of meekness, and destroys many important things when left uncontrolled. "Anger has caused many brothers to cease speaking to one another," he said. "Meekness unites; anger divides."

A person who is meek, concluded the Pope, is able to "win over hearts and save friendships, because people get angry but then they calm down.... This is how we can rebuild relationships with meekness."