Pope at Angelus: Only in God do we find the light of life
By Thaddeus Jones
Addressing the crowds gathered in Saint Peter's Square for the Angelus, Pope Francis offered reflections on what it means to "testify to the light," as recounted in the Gospel reading on this Third Sunday of Advent about John the Baptist sent by God to bear witness to Jesus coming into the world .
Looking at the nature of John's testimony and the light to which he refers, the Pope explained that John the Baptist's testimony came "through his frank language, his sincere behaviour, his austerity of life."
Substance over appearances
People flocked to meet and hear the Baptist, the Pope recalled, especially due to his "consistent and sincere way of being" making him different from the famous and powerful who cultivated their appearances more than their character. John's authentic, free and courageous spirit helped motivate others to do better and more to become role models of good living, said the Pope.
The light is Christ
John's luminous nature came from his testifying to the light of Christ, of Jesus coming into the world, the Lamb of God, “God who saves”, the Pope explained, recalling that John himself told the crowds that he was not the light or the Messiah, but the "'“voice' who accompanies his brothers and sisters to the Word...he is a lamp, while the light is Christ." Only Christ "redeems, frees, heals and enlightens," said the Pope.
Only in God
John the Baptist's witness shows us that "only in God do we find the light of life" and that by God's grace we "can be a lamp that shines and helps others find the way to meet Jesus" through our service to others, humility and the integrity of our lives.
In conclusion, the Pope suggested we ask ourselves how we in our own daily lives can give witness in the here and now to the light of Christ in these days leading to Christmas and beyond.
Following the recitation of the Angelus prayer, Pope Francis greeted the many families with their children present who brought little statuettes of the Child Jesus to be blessed on this day, known as "Bambinelli Sunday," a tradition started by Saint Pope Paul VI over fifty years ago.
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