In the Angelus prayer on Sunday, Pope Francis reflects on the identity of Jesus and urges 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 ask for forgiveness.
Speaking before the Marian prayer of the Angelus at noon, the Pope considered why the fourth Sunday of Lent has such a joyful focus.
He reasoned in the Gospel: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (Jn 3:16).
“This joyful message is the heart of the Christian faith,” the Pope said, “the love of God found its culmination in the gift of his Son to a weak and sinful humanity.”
Very high
In the Gospel of the day, Nicodemus comes to Jesus at night to ask him his identity.
Jesus, said the Pope, shakes the faith of Nicodemus by presenting himself in three ways: “the Son of man exalted on the cross; the Son of God sent into the world for salvation; and that of light which distinguishes those who follow the truth from those who follow the lie. “
The first aspect of Jesus ’identity, the Pope said, is reminiscent of the serpent that Moses lifted into the wilderness to save people from death by snake bites.
Similarly, he noted, “Jesus was lifted up on the cross and those who believe in him are healed of sin and live.”
To bring the light of salvation
Pope Francis said that the second aspect, that of the Son of God, reveals the gift of God from his only Son for the salvation of mankind. God, he added, desires our eternal salvation, and the mission of Jesus is the salvation of all.
Jesus also describes himself in Nicodemus as “the light,” which opposes darkness.
“Jesus’ coming into the world leads to a choice, ”the Pope said. “He who chooses darkness will have a judgment of condemnation, he who chooses light will have a judgment of salvation.”
He noted that the trial is the result of our free choice. “He who practices evil seeks darkness; he who seeks the truth, that is, who practices what is good, comes to light. “
Rejoicing in God’s forgiveness
Pope Francis then urged Christians to live our Lenten journey as one directed toward the light of Christ.
He was called, he said, to “welcome the light into our conscience to open our hearts to the infinite love of God, to His mercy full of tenderness and goodness.”
He concluded that God always forgives our sins when we ask for it.
Under the protection of the Virgin
And the Pope prayed that Our Lady would give us the courage to allow Jesus to “throw our faith into crisis.”
“It’s a healthy crisis,” he said, “for our healing: for our joy to be full.”