Convert and experience joy, Pope says during Angelus address
December 14, 2015
Pope Francis reflected on the day’s Gospel reading (Lk. 3:10-18) during his December 13 Angelus address and invited the crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square to experience the joy of conversion.
“Today’s liturgy tells us, in the words of John, that is necessary to repent, we must change direction and take the path of justice, solidarity, sobriety: these are the essential values of a life fully human and genuinely Christian,” Pope Francis said. “Repent! It sums up the message of John the Baptist.”
“And the liturgy of this Third Sunday of Advent helps us to rediscover a special dimension of conversion: joy,” the Pope continued. “Whoever converts and approaches the Lord, feels joy.”
The Pope added:
The prophet Zephaniah tells us today: “Rejoice, daughter of Zion!” Turned to Jerusalem (Zeph. 3:14); and the apostle Paul exhorted Christians in Philippi: “Rejoice always in the Lord” (Phil. 4:4).
Today, it takes courage to speak of joy, which, above all, requires faith! The world is beset by many problems, the future weighed down by uncertainties and fears. Yet, the Christian is a joyful person, and his joy is not something superficial and ephemeral, but deep and stable, because it is a gift from God that fills life. Our joy comes from knowing that “the Lord is near” (Phil. 4:5), is close with His tenderness, His mercy, His forgiveness, and His love.
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Further information:
- Angelus Domini 2015.12.13 (YouTube Vatican)
- Le parole del Papa alla recita dell’Angelus, 13.12.2015 (Holy See Press Office)
- FULL TEXT: Pope Francis' Angelus Address (Zenit)
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