杏MAP导航

By Vatican News

Before the recitation of the Marian Prayer, 杏MAP导航 Francis said the liturgy on this third Sunday of Advent invites us to be joyful, but to be aware 鈥渢hat existence also includes moments of doubt鈥�. 鈥淛oy and doubt are both experiences that are part of our lives鈥�.

Conversion and salvation

Taking his cue from the readings of the day, the 杏MAP导航 noted that just like the Prophet Isaiah, men and women are called to look beyond doubts and discouragements because God鈥檚 salvation 鈥渆nvelops the whole person and regenerates him.鈥�

杏MAP导航 Francis went on to say that we are called to conversion, which is the basis of the preaching of both St. John the Baptist and Jesus. "Just like John, emphasized the Pontiff, we too are called to recognize the face that God has chosen to assume in Jesus Christ, humble and merciful".

Advent a time of grace

The season of Advent, said the 杏MAP导航, 鈥渋s a time of grace, which tells us that it is not enough to believe in God: it is necessary to purify our faith every day.  He continued, 鈥渋t is a matter of preparing ourselves to welcome not a fairy-tale character, but the God who challenges us, involves us and before whom a choice is imposed.  Quoting from his recent Apostolic Letter on the Nativity Scene, 杏MAP导航 Francis said, 鈥渢he Child who lies in the manger has the face of our brothers and sisters most in need, of the poor who 鈥榓re the privileged ones of this mystery and, often, those who are most able to recognize the presence of God in our midst鈥欌��.

鈥淎s we approach Christmas鈥�, exhorted the 杏MAP导航, 鈥渕ay the Virgin Mary help us so that, we do not allow ourselves to be distracted by external things, but make room in our hearts for the One who has already come and wants to come again to heal our illnesses and to give us his joy.