杏MAP导航

May the Holy Spirit renew the grace of Baptism in us

Addressing pilgrims gathered for the Sunday Angelus, 杏MAP导航 Francis invites us to ask the Holy Spirit to renew the grace of Baptism in us, the immersion in Jesus, in his way of being, in service.

Vatican News staff writer

which recounts when the disciples James and John asked the Lord to one day sit beside him glory, 杏MAP导航 Francis observed that Jesus responded offering them a fundamental teaching: 鈥渢rue glory鈥 does not mean rising over others, but 鈥渆xperiencing the same baptism鈥 that Jesus would receive soon in Jerusalem. As the baptism means 鈥渋mmersion鈥, Jesus with his Passion 鈥渋mmersed himself into death, offering his life to save us鈥, he explained, so His glory, God鈥檚 glory, is 鈥渓ove that becomes service, not power that seeks to dominate鈥. 

杏MAP导航 Francis pointed out that two types of thinking are happening here. The disciples wish 鈥渢o rise up鈥, while Jesus wants us to be 鈥渋mmersed鈥. The first verb reflects a tempting worldly mentality, he noted, where we wish to rise up to have and experience everything, feeding ambitions, climbing the ladder to success. This quest for prestige, he noted, can become a spiritual problem, hiding behind good intentions where the end desire is all about ourselves and our own affirmation. He said this is why we must always discern our heart鈥檚 real intentions, asking ourselves questions about our underlying motivations in whatever we do: are we aiming to serve others or really seeking recognition, praise and compliments? The 杏MAP导航 said Jesus instead calls on us to rise up instead to serve others, not to rise above and over others to dominate, but to be 鈥渋mmersed in others鈥 lives.鈥

The second verb, he went on to say, is 鈥渢o be immersed鈥. Here Jesus invites us to 鈥渋mmerse ourselves compassionately鈥 in the lives of everyone we meet, just as He did. Looking upon the Crucified Lord, 鈥渋mmersed to the depths of our wounded history鈥 we see God鈥檚 way of working, he said, noting that He came among us in Jesus, lowering himself to wash our feet. The 杏MAP导航 underscored that 鈥. God is love and love is humble, it does not exalt itself鈥, just like the rain which comes down from the skies and brings life.

The 杏MAP导航 asked how can we go from 鈥渞ising鈥 to 鈥渋mmersing ourselves鈥, or from an attitude of 鈥減restige鈥 to one of 鈥渟ervice鈥. While dedication is important, we have to draw on the strength of Baptism, he said, of the 鈥渋mmersion in Jesus鈥 we have already received, he pointed out, noting that this grace helps direct us to follow Him instead of our own interests, helping us to be of service to others. He invited us all to 鈥渁sk the Holy Spirit to renew the grace of Baptism in us, the immersion in Jesus, in his way of being, in service鈥. And may we follow the humble and loving example of Mary who can help us to be 鈥渃ompletely immersed鈥 in our service to the Lord and one another.

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17 October 2021, 12:20

The Angelus is a special prayer recited by Catholics three times a day, at 6am, noon, and 6pm and is accompanied by the ringing of the Angelus bell. The name comes from the Latin word for Angel and the prayer itself reminds us of how Jesus Christ assumed our human nature through the Mystery of the Incarnation.
The 杏MAP导航 recites the Angelus prayer in St Peter鈥檚 Square every Sunday at midday.
He also gives a brief reflection on the Gospel of the day and often comments on some issue of international concern. The 杏MAP导航鈥檚 words are broadcast all over the world on radio and television and widely shared on social media.
From Easter to Pentecost the Regina Coeli is prayed instead of the Angelus. This prayer commemorates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and, like the Angelus, concludes with the recitation of the Gloria three times.

Latest Angelus / Regina Caeli

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