杏MAP导航

By Linda Bordoni

杏MAP导航 Francis continued his catecheses focusing on the Sacrament of Baptism on Wednesday with a reflection on water, the source of life, and on how it is not possible to be both with God and with the devil.

He also had a special greeting for a group of young people from Syria and asked for prayers for peace in the world, in particular for the Middle East and Syria.

Water: source of life and wellbeing

Reflecting on the powerful symbolism of water and on how it is the source of life and wellbeing, 杏MAP导航 Francis noted that its absence causes the extinction of fecundity and he pointed out how it can also be a cause of death 鈥渨hen it submerges all things鈥� as well as an element that cleanses and purifies.

He recalled the many instances described in the Bible and in the New Testament in which God intervenes or makes promises through 鈥榮igns鈥� of water, including Jesus鈥� own baptism in the river Jordan and the water that flowed from his side upon the cross.

In blessing the water of the baptismal font, he explained, the Church prays it may become the source of new life in Christ and the cleansing of sin through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

Though Baptism, he said, the Church invokes the action of the Holy Spirit so that those who receive the Sacrament may enter into the saving mystery of Christ鈥檚 death and resurrection, 鈥渁nd with Him rise to immortal life鈥�

But in order to do this, Francis explained, we must reject Satan and all his works.

The devil divides, God unites

Once one has been sanctified by the baptismal font, to be able to gain access to salvation, the 杏MAP导航 said, 鈥渙ne must open one鈥檚 heart鈥� and renounce Satan.

Reminding those present that the devil is he who divides while God always unites, Francis said that it is not possible to be both with God and with the devil.

He said that one cannot adhere to Christ by 鈥渓aying down conditions鈥� but that 鈥渋t is necessary to detach oneself from certain ties in order to be able to embrace others鈥�.

The 杏MAP导航 said that when we decide to undertake the path of life and salvation, it is necessary to actively reject the devil and all of his works and go forth, together, in faith.

The Holy Spirit gives us the strength

As a sign of our decision to live this mystery of new and eternal life, the 杏MAP导航 said we are called to proclaim our faith and whenever we bless ourselves with holy water, we should recall, with gratitude, the gift that we received on the day of our Baptism.

Praying for Syria

After the catechesis the 杏MAP导航 had a special greeting for a group of young Syrians who arrived in Rome with a special Caritas Poland project.

The delegation aims to raise awareness about the difficulties of the poor, promote the work of volunteers and garner help for victims of persecution in Syria.

Bestowing his blessing upon them he invited them to 鈥減ray for peace in the world, in particular for the Middle East and for Syria.鈥�