杏MAP导航

By Francesca Merlo

杏MAP导航 Francis began his Sunday Angelus by telling the faithful gathered in St Peter鈥檚 Square that the World Day for Consecrated Life reminds us of the 鈥済reat treasure鈥� in the Church of all those who 鈥渇ollow the Lord closely, professing the evangelical counsels鈥�.

The 杏MAP导航 referred to Luke 2:22-40, which tells of Jesus鈥� consecration to God, 40 days after his birth. Other than describing a ritual foreseen by tradition, said the 杏MAP导航, this episode brings to our attention a few people who are 鈥渃aught in a moment in which they experience a meeting with the Lord in the place in which He makes Himself present and close to humanity鈥�.

These people, explained the 杏MAP导航, are Mary and Joseph, Simeon and Anna, who represent 鈥渕odels of availability and of the offering of their very lives to God鈥�. Luke the evangelist describes them all through two attitudes: movement and amazement.

Movement

"Mary and Joseph journey toward Jerusalem; on his part, Simeon came to the temple, moved by the Spirit, while Anna serves God day and night without ceasing."

杏MAP导航 Francis explained that in this way, the four protagonists show us that Christian life requires 鈥渄ynamism and the willingness to journey鈥�, always 鈥渁llowing the Holy Spirit to be the guide鈥�.

The world, continued the 杏MAP导航, needs Christians who allow themselves to be moved, and who do not cease to journey so as to bring Jesus鈥� word to all. 鈥淓very baptized person has received the vocation to evangelize, to the evangelizing mission鈥�, he said.

Amazement

"Mary and Joseph 鈥渨ere amazed at what was said about him [of Jesus]鈥� (v. 33). Amazement is also the elderly Simeon鈥檚 explicit reaction who, in the Baby Jesus, sees with his own eyes the salvation wrought by God on behalf of His people. The same goes for Anna who 鈥渁lso gave praise to God鈥� (v. 38)."

The 杏MAP导航 explained that the figures of these believers are wrapped in amazement 鈥渂ecause they have allowed themselves to be captured and become involved in the events that are happening before their very eyes鈥�.

Finally, 杏MAP导航 Francis explained that, the ability to be amazed, 鈥渇osters the religious experience and makes an encounter with the Lord fruitful鈥�. On the other hand, he said, the inability to be amazed does not only lead to indifference, but to an increased distance 鈥渂etween the journey of faith and daily life鈥�.