(ZENIT News / Vatican City, 01.12.2024).- At midday on Sunday, January 12, Pope Francis delivered his traditional Sunday address, followed by the recitation of the Angelus prayer. According to the Holy See Press Office, around 30,000 pilgrims were present in St. Peter’s Square. Toward the end, the Pope expressed his solidarity with those affected by the fires in Los Angeles: «I am close to the residents of Los Angeles County, California, where devastating fires have occurred in recent days. I pray for all of you.» We now offer the English translation of the Sunday address.
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Dear brothers and sisters, happy Sunday!
The feast of the Baptism of Jesus, which we celebrate today, makes us think of many things, including our own Baptism. Jesus joins His people, who are going to receive baptism for the forgiveness of sins. I like to recall the words of a hymn of today’s liturgy: Jesus goes to be baptized by John, “with a bare soul and bare feet”. A bare soul and bare feet.
And when Jesus receives baptism, the Spirit manifests Himself and the Epiphany of God occurs; He reveals His face in the Son and makes His voice heard, which says: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased” (v. 22). The face and the voice.
First of all, the face. In revealing Himself to be the Father through the Son, God establishes a special space for entering into dialogue and communion with humanity. It is the face of the beloved Son.
In second place, the voice. Face and voice. “You are my beloved Son” (v. 22). This is another sign that accompanies the revelation of Jesus.
Dear brothers and sisters, today’s feast makes us contemplate the face and the voice of God, which are manifested in Jesus’ humanity. And so, let us ask ourselves: do we feel loved? Do I feel loved and accompanied by God, or do I think that God is distant from me? Are we capable of recognizing His face in Jesus and in our brothers and sisters? And are we accustomed to listening to His voice?
I will ask you a question: does every one of you remember the date of your Baptism? This is very important! Think: on what day was I baptized? And if we do not remember, when we arrive home, let us ask our parents or our godparents the date of our Baptism. And let us celebrate this date as if it were a new birthday: that of our birth in the Spirit of God. Do not forget! This is our homework: the date of our Baptism.
Let us entrust ourselves to the Virgin Mary, invoking Her help. And do not forget the date of your Baptism!
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