Pope Francis: convert, for God’s kingdom is in our midst
December 05, 2016
In his Angelus address for the Second Sunday of Advent, Pope Francis called upon the crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square to convert.
Reflecting on St. John the Baptist’s call to “repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Mt. 3:2), Pope Francis said that “this is the central message of all Christian mission.”
“When a missionary goes, a Christian goes to proclaim Jesus, he does not go to proselytize, as if he were a fan seeking his team more closely,” he explained. “No, just announcing: ‘The kingdom of God is among you,’ the missionary prepares the way for Jesus, who meets His people.”
“The condition to become part of this Kingdom, is to make a change in our lives, that is, convert, convert ourselves every day, one step forward every day,” Pope Francis added. “It is to leave the convenient but misleading streets, the idols of this world: success at all costs, the power at the expense of the weak, the thirst for wealth, pleasure at any price. And instead open the way for the Lord who comes.”
For all current news, visit our News home page.
Further information:
- Le parole del Papa alla recita dell’Angelus (Holy See Press Office)
- Angelus Address: On Converting Ourselves (Zenit)
All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a current donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!
-
Posted by: Randal Mandock -
Dec. 05, 2016 8:02 AM ET USA
A definition! A definition! My kingdom for a definition! We now know what proselytization does _not_ mean. "Just announcing: 'The kingdom of God is among you'" is a concrete example given by the Pope of a meritorious spiritual act. Now if we could hear just a little bit more, such as: "Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope" (1 Peter 3:15). And Acts 8:31, "How can I [understand], unless someone instructs me?" Both citations taken from the NAB.
