Pp. Francis' Very New Gospel

There's a wonderful blog essay on Pp. Francis' interview with America Mag-a-Rag.  Here, we'll concentrate briefly on one statement made by the Pope.

...Reacting to criticism that he favoured Communism, the pope said this was a socio-political reduction of the Gospel message

    “If I see the Gospel in a sociological way only, yes, I am a communist, and so too is Jesus.”

There is no passage in the Gospel which forbids the possession of property--which happens to be a fundamental of Communism.  Sociological, theological, narrative, inspired Word of God, or otherwise, that difference is stark.

The commands (counsels) of Christ regarding property always began with "GIVE....."  That is to say, you may dispose of your property for the sake of the Kingdom, (for Christ.)

It should be obvious--even to a Jesuit--that one cannot give what one does not have.  We can conclude that Christ had nothing against possessing property, but He did require that such property should be given to benefit others--not merely oneself--as far as possible.  Does that mean to 'give it all away'?  No--unless, like the rich young man, you seek perfection.  Christ did not order you to make your wife and children into homeless victims.  But that is what Communism requires.

Meantime, Pp. Francis has taught you another meaning of the phrase Reductio ad absurdum!