…judges Francis’ idea on John the Baptist doubting the Messiah
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In vain those who thought John the Baptist fickle sought him in the desert
And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak to the people concerning John, what went you out for to see? A reed shaken in the wind? As if He said, you marveled at John the Baptist, and oftentimes came to see him, passing over long journeys in the desert; surely in vain, if you think him so fickle as to be like a reed bending down whichever way the wind moves it. For such he appears to be, who lightly avows his ignorance of the things which he knows. (Saint Cyril of Alexandria quoted by Saint Thomas Aquinas. Catena Aurea, Lk 7:24-28)
…judges Francis’ idea on the Church’s moral teaching
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The Pharisees wished to ignore the Sacred Scripture to conspire against Jesus and his followers
But the Pharisees and Scribes not knowing the Holy Scriptures agreed together to find fault with Christ’s disciples, as it follows, And certain of the Pharisees said to them, Why do you, &c. Tell me now, when a table is set before you on the Sabbath day; do you not break bread? Why then do you blame others? (Saint Cyril of Alexandria quoted by Saint Thomas Aquinas. Catena Aurea in Lk 6:1–5)
…judges Francis’ idea on the poor being the heart of the Gospel
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Being poor in spirit is to be predisposed for higher things
In the Gospel according to Saint Matthew it is said, Blessed are the poor in spirit, that we should understand the poor in spirit to be one of a modest and somewhat depressed mind. Hence our Savior says, Learn from me, for I am meek and lowly of heart. But Luke says, Blessed are the poor, without the addition of spirit, calling those poor who despise riches. For it became those who were to preach the doctrines of the saving Gospel to have no covetousness, but their affections set upon higher things. (Saint Cyril of Alexandria quoted by Saint Thomas Aquinas. Catena Aurea in Luke 6:20-23)
…judges Francis’ idea that Koran is a book of peace
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Christ is both our Peace and Goodwill
But we, wretched beings, by having set up our own lusts in opposition to the will of our Lord, had put ourselves into the position of enemies unto Him. But by Christ this has been done away: for He is our peace; for He has united us by Himself unto God the Father, having taken away from the middle the cause of the enmity, even sin, and so justifies us by faith, and makes us holy and without blame, and calls near unto Him those who were afar off: and besides this, He has created the two people into one new man, so making peace, and reconciling both in one body to the Father. For it pleased God the Father to form into one new whole all things in Him, and to bind together things below and things above, and to make those in heaven and those on earth into one flock. Christ therefore has been made for us both Peace and Goodwill. (Saint Cyril of Alexandria. Commentary upon the Gospel of Saint Luke, Sermon II, 2:8 – 18)
…judges Francis’ idea on human suffering
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Jesus, being the Truth, cannot lie
Receive in faith the Saviour’s word; for He, being the Truth, cannot lie. And so will you honour Him; for as the very wise John says, “He that receives His witness has set his seal that God is true. For He Whom God sent speaks the words of God.” For the words of God are of course true, and in no manner whatsoever can they be false. (Saint Cyril of Alexandria. Commentary on the Gospel of Saint Luke, 22:17-22, Sermon CXLII.)
