Expend Yourself to the Utmost
“In many settings the Christian faith is considered absurd, for the weak and unintelligent. It is not easy to preach the Gospel and bear witness to its truth: believers are mocked or pitied and Jesus is reduced to a charismatic leader. This is the world entrusted to us, in which we bear witness to our joyful faith in Jesus the Saviour. I say this first to myself, as I begin my mission as Bishop of Rome. According to Saint Ignatius of Antioch, led in chains to this city, the place of his impending sacrifice: ‘I will truly be a disciple of Jesus Christ when the world no longer sees my body,’ and so it happened, devoured by wild beasts in the arena, but his words apply to all those who exercise authority in the Church, to move aside so Christ may remain; to make oneself small, so he may be known and glorified; to expend oneself to the utmost.”