A new phase<\/i><\/b><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n
Before relating Jesus\u2019 prophetic activity, the Gospel writers talk about an experience that will radically transform his life. \u00a0After being baptized by John, Jesus sees himself as the beloved Son of God, in whom God\u2019s Spirit fully dwells. \u00a0Breathed upon by this Spirit, Jesus begins to announce to everyone, through his life and his message, the Good News of a God who is friend and savior to every human being.<\/b><\/i><\/p>\n
It is not surprising that, on inviting us to live these coming years in \u201ca new phase of evangelization,\u201d the Pope reminds us that the Church needs more than ever \u201cSpirit-filled evangelizers\u201d. \u00a0He well knows that only the Spirit of Jesus can strengthen us to put in motion the radical conversion that the Church needs.<\/b> \u00a0Along which paths?<\/p>\n
Only the newness of the Gospel can give birth to this Church renewal. \u00a0The Pope wants the people of today to listen to the same message that Jesus proclaimed as he went about Galilee, not anything different from it.<\/b> \u00a0We have to \u201creturn to the source and to recover the original freshness of the Gospel.\u201d \u00a0Only in this way will we be able \u201cto break through the dull categories with which we would enclose\u201d Jesus Christ.<\/i><\/p>\n
The Pope is thinking of a radical renewal, \u201cwhich cannot leave things as they presently are<\/b>; \u2018mere administration\u2019 can no longer be enough.\u201d \u00a0That is why he asks us \u201cto abandon the complacent attitude that says:\u00a0 \u2018We have always done it this way\u2019\u201d and he insists over and over: \u00a0\u201cI invite everyone to be bold and creative in this task of rethinking the goals, structures, style and methods of evangelization in their respective communities.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
Francis is looking for a Church where what solely concerns us is to communicate the Good News of Jesus to today\u2019s world. \u00a0\u201cMore than by fear of going astray, my hope is that we will be moved by the fear of remaining shut up within structures which give us a false sense of security, within rules which make us harsh judges, within habits which make us feel safe, while at our door people are starving and Jesus does not tire of saying to us: \u201cGive them something to eat<\/b>.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
The Pope wants us to build \u201ca Church whose doors are open,\u201d for the joy of the Gospel is for everyone and no one should be excluded. What a joy to be able to hear from his lips a vision of a Church that recovers Jesus\u2019 most authentic Spirit, breaking down attitudes deeply entrenched for centuries! <\/b>\u00a0\u201cFrequently, we act as arbiters of grace rather than its facilitators. But the Church is not a tollhouse; it is the house of the Father, where there is a place for everyone, with all their problems.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n
Jos\u00e9 Antonio Pagola<\/b><\/p>\n
December 12, 2014
\nBaptism of the Lord (A)
\nMatthew 3, 13-17<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"