(March 12, 2012) Violence which is a tool of the Antichrist never serves humanity
and one cannot never interpret Jesus as a violent person. This is what Pope Benedict
XVI said on Sunday before reciting the weekly midday ‘Angelus’ prayer with pilgrims
and tourists in St Peter's Square in Rome. He was commenting on the Gospel of the
third Sunday of Lent, which speaks about Jesus driving out merchants from the Temple
of Jerusalem. Pope Benedict described Jesus’ action as prophetic, just as the prophets,
in the name of God, often denounced abuses, and they sometimes did so with symbolic
gestures. It is impossible to describe Jesus as violent, the Pope said, because “violence
is contrary to the Kingdom of God; it is a tool of the Antichrist.” “Violence never
serves humanity, but dehumanizes," the Pope said. The zeal of Jesus for the Father
and His house led him to the cross, and not of a person who wants to serve God through
violence, the Pope explained. The power and authority of Jesus is revealed in his
words: 'Destroy this temple - he said - and in three days I will raise it'. With
the Easter of Jesus begins a new cult, the cult of love the Pope added. After
praying the ‘Angelus’ and imparting his blessing, Pope Benedict appealed for help
for the people of Madagascar, who have recently have been hit by severe natural disasters,
with serious damage to people, structures and crops. “While I assure my prayers
for the victims and families, I hope and encourage the generous assistance of the
international community, " the Pope said. Hurricane Joan and tropical storm Irina
have killed hundreds of people and destroyed property in Madagascar.