In Sunday’s Angelus prayer, 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
While the Church celebrates Sunday in Laetare, Pope Francis invited Christians to approach the light of Christ and ask for his forgiveness.
Speaking before the Angelian midday prayer of the Angelus, the Pope 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, so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:16).”
“This joyful message is at the heart of the Christian faith,” said the Pope, “the love of God found its peak in the gift of his Son to a weak and sinful humanity”.
LIfted high
In the Gospel of the day, Nicodemus goes to Jesus at night to ask about his identity.
Jesus, said the Pope, shakes Nicodemus’ faith by presenting himself in three aspects: “the Son of the man exalted on the cross; The Son of God sent into the world for salvation; and the do clear that distinguishes those who follow the truth from those who follow lies. “
The first aspect of Jesus’ identity, the Pope said, is reminiscent of the snake that Moses raised in the desert to save people from death by snakebites.
Likewise, he noted, “Jesus was raised 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 – highlights the gift of God from His only Son for the salvation of mankind. God, he added, desires our eternal salvation, and Jesus’ mission is that of salvation for all.
Jesus also describes himself to Nicodemus as “the light”, which opposes darkness.
“Jesus’ coming into the world leads to a choice,” said the Pope. “Whoever 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 choice. “Whoever does evil seeks darkness; whoever seeks the truth, that is, who practices what is good, come to the light. “
Rejoicing in God’s forgiveness
Pope Francis then urged Christians to live our Lenten journey towards the light of Christ.
We are called, he said, to “welcome the light in our conscience to open our hearts to the infinite love of God, to his mercy full of tenderness and goodness”.
God, he concluded, always forgives our sins when we ask him to do so.
Under the protection of Our Lady
And the Pope prayed that the Virgin Mary would give us courage to allow Jesus to “throw our faith into crisis”.
“It is a healthy crisis,” he said, “for our cure: so that our joy is full.”