At the Angelus prayer on Sunday, Pope Francis reflects on Jesus’ identity, urging Christians to welcome his light to open our hearts to the love of God.
By Devin Watkins
As the church celebrates Laetare Sunday, Pope Francis invited Christians to come to the light of Christ and to ask for forgiveness.
The Pope spoke before the noon Marian prayer of the Angelus and considered why the fourth Sunday of Lent has such a joyful focus.
The reason, he said, is given in the Gospel: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” ( John 3:16). “
“This joyful message is the heart of the Christian faith,” the pope said, “God’s love found its culmination in the gift of his Son to a weak and sinful mankind.”
Praise high
In the Gospel of the day, Nicodemus comes to Jesus at night to inquire about His identity.
Jesus, says the pope, shakes Nicodemus’ faith by presenting Himself under three aspects: “the Son of man exalted on the cross; the Son of God sent to the world for salvation; and that of the light which distinguishes those who follow the truth from those who follow lies. ”
The first aspect of Jesus’ identity, says the pope, is reminiscent of the serpent that Moses lifted up in the wilderness to save the people from snake bites from death.
Similarly, he noted, “Jesus was exalted on the cross and those who believe in him are healed of sin and life.”
To bring salvation
Pope Francis said that the second aspect – that of the Son of God – emphasizes God’s gift of his only Son for the salvation of mankind. God desires our eternal salvation, and Jesus’ mission is one of salvation for all.
Jesus also describes Himself to Nicodemus as ‘the light’, which is opposed to darkness.
“The coming of Jesus into the world leads to a choice,” the pope said. “Everyone who chooses darkness will face a judgment of condemnation; whoever chooses light will have a judgment of salvation.”
Judgment, he noted, is the result of our own free choice. “Everyone who does evil seeks darkness; everyone who seeks the truth, that is, those who do good, comes to the light. ”
Rejoice in God’s Forgiveness
Pope Francis then encouraged Christians to lead our fasting journey as one who is directed to the light of Christ.
He is called to “welcome the light into our conscience to open our hearts to God’s infinite love, to His grace full of tenderness and goodness.”
God, he concluded, always forgives our sins when we ask of Him.
Under the protection of Our Lady
And the pope prayed that the Virgin Mary would give us the courage to allow Jesus to ‘throw our faith into a crisis’.
“It is a healthy crisis,” he said, “for our healing, so that our joy may be filled.”