杏MAP导航

By Sr Bernadette Mary Reis, fsp

杏MAP导航 Francis drew inspiration for his Angelus reflection from St John the Baptizer as presented in the Gospel of Luke on the Second Sunday of Advent. The Baptizer, the 杏MAP导航 said, teaches us that conversion is the way to wait for the Lord鈥檚 coming.

Guide for conversion

杏MAP导航 Francis called John the Baptizer 鈥渁 guide鈥� for our conversion journey. Luke鈥檚 Gospel presents him going throughout the 鈥渞egion of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins鈥� (Luke 3:3). Luke understands that John was the fulfilment of Isaiah鈥檚 prophecy of paths being made straight, valleys filled in and mountains being brought low.

Valleys and hills

杏MAP导航 Francis explained that the Baptizer鈥檚 call is essentially the awareness of 鈥渢he need of conversion鈥�. It is the valley of coldness and indifference that we need to fill in by 鈥渙pening ourselves to others鈥� like Jesus did, being attentive to our neighbour鈥檚 needs. It is the mountain of 鈥減ride and haughtiness鈥� that needs to be brought low. This is done, the 杏MAP导航 said, through 鈥渃oncrete gestures of reconciliation with our brothers and sisters, asking forgiveness for our faults鈥�. Conversion is only complete, he said, with the 鈥渉umble recognition of our errors, infidelities, and failures鈥�.

Awaiting the Messiah

John the Baptizer鈥檚 invitation to conversion was strong, vigorous and severe, yet tempered by actions that communicated tenderness and pardon. Thus he reawakened the expectation for the Messiah in the multitudes of people who came to him for his baptism of repentance. The believer lives with Jesus at the centre of their lives, 杏MAP导航 Francis continued. With 鈥淗is word of light, love and consolation鈥� we who are Jesus鈥� disciples today 鈥渁re called to be his humble and courageous witnesses to rekindle hope, to make it understood that, notwithstanding everything, the kingdom of God continues to be built day by day by the power of the Holy Spirit鈥�.