杏MAP导航

By Lisa Zengarini

The passion for the proclamation of the Gospel 鈥渋nvolves every Christian, from the beginning鈥�, 杏MAP导航 Francis reiterated at his weekly General Audience on Wednesday, concluding his cycle of reflections on Christian apostolic zeal.

The 杏MAP导航 began the catechesis by inviting the faithful to reflect on the 鈥淩ite of the Ephphatha鈥� performed during the Sacrament of Baptism.

He recalled that this rite comes from Jesus' miraculous healing of deaf and dumb man in Galilee.

Proclaiming God鈥檚 salvific and liberating presence to all

杏MAP导航 Francis noted that, as recounted by Mark鈥檚 Gospel, that miracle was accomplished in territories then predominantly inhabited by pagans, not Jews. This, the 杏MAP导航 said, shows us that Jesus is able to open the ears and the mouths of those who can鈥檛 hear or speak, where deafness and muteness in the Bible signify metaphorically being closed to God鈥檚 call.

To be opened to witness the Gospel

杏MAP导航 Francis then drew attention to another indicative sign in that episode: the decisive word 鈥榚phphatha鈥� Jesus uttered, which in Aramaic means, "Be opened". That word, he explained, is an invitation addressed not only to the deaf and dumb, who could not hear Him, but specifically to His disciples both of that time and of all times.

鈥淲e too, who have received the 'ephphatha' of the Spirit in Baptism鈥�, said the 杏MAP导航, 鈥渁re called to be opened鈥� because 鈥渢he Gospel message needs you to bear witness to it and proclaim it!鈥�

杏MAP导航 Francis contemplate the Nativity Scene inside the Paul VI Hall during the General Audience   (VATICAN MEDIA Divisione Foto)

Witnesses not ideologues of closure

杏MAP导航 Francis went on to note that this should also make us reflect on our attitude as Christians: 鈥淎 Christian", he said, "must be open to the Word of God and to serving others. Closed Christians always end up badly, because they are not Christians, they are ideologues, ideologues of closure鈥�, he added.

Let us feel called to be missionaries

Recalling that even at the end of the Gospels, Jesus entrusts us with His missionary desire, 杏MAP导航 Francis, therefore, reiterated his call to the faithful 鈥渢o feel called, because of our baptism, to witness to and proclaim Jesus鈥� and 鈥渁sk for the grace to bring about a pastoral and missionary conversion".

鈥淓ach one of us," he concluded, "should ask him or herself: 鈥楧o I truly love the Lord to the point of wanting to announce Him? Do I want to become his witness or am I content to be his disciple? Do I take to heart the people I meet, bringing them to Jesus in prayer? Do I want to do something so that the joy of the Gospel, which has transformed my life, might make their lives more beautiful?鈥欌��

Nativity scene in St. Peter's Square   (VATICAN MEDIA Divisione Foto)

Christmas tree and nativity scene

Finally, just like last Wednesday, at the end of the General Audience, 杏MAP导航 Francis was driven through St. Peter's Square and the Arch of the Bells, to get a close look at the Christmas tree and nativity scene set up in the square, whose inauguration took place last Saturday.