Pope at Angelus: Christ is the
light that brightens our darkness
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| Pope Francis gives his blessing overlooking St Peter's Square |
Before reciting the Angelus prayer this Sunday, Pope Francis
reflects on the theme of light and the gift of faith.
By Vatican News
“It is not enough to receive light”, said Pope Francis. We
need to “become light… in order to manifest it with our whole life”.
The Light of the world
The Pope was reflecting on the liturgical readings for the
Fourth Sunday of Lent. St John’s Gospel recounts the episode of the man born
blind to whom Jesus gives sight. “The theme of light”, said the Pope, is “at
the centre” of this Sunday’s liturgy.
The miracle Jesus performs confirms His affirmation that He
is “the light of the world”, said Pope Francis: He is “the light that brightens
our darkness”. This applies to both the “physical level and the spiritual
level”, the Pope continued. The blind person first receives the gift of
physical sight, and then the spiritual gift of faith in Jesus.
The wonders Jesus performs are not “spectacular gestures” said Pope Francis,
they lead to faith “through a journey of inner transformation”.
The light of faith
“The Pharisees and doctors of the law refuse to acknowledge
the miracle”, continued the Pope. They interrogate the healed man. But he
confuses them with a simple statement of fact: “I was blind and now I see”.
Gradually, he comes to realize “the identity of the one who opened his eyes”,
and confesses his faith in Him. The healed man recognizes Jesus “as one who
comes from God”. He welcomes Jesus “as the Messiah, and prostrates himself
before Him”.
Seeing life in a new light
“May we too can have this experience!”, said Pope Francis.
“With the light of faith, he who was blind discovers his new identity”. He sees
his life and the world around him in a new light, and is “no longer a slave to
blindness and prejudice”. The blind man’s path of enlightenment “is a metaphor
for the path of liberation from sin to which we are called”, said the Pope.
“Sin is like a dark veil that covers our face and prevents us from clearly
seeing ourselves and the world”. God’s mercy removes the “shadows and
darkness”, and gives us new light, he added.
Becoming light
The blind man who is healed now sees “with both the eyes of
the body and those of the soul”, said Pope Francis. “But it is not enough
to receive light, one must become light”, added the Pope.
“Each one of us is called to receive the divine light in order to manifest it
with our whole life”.
“May Mary Most Holy help us to imitate the blind man of the
Gospel”, concluded the Pope, “so that we can be flooded with the light of
Christ, and set out with Him on the way of salvation”.
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