Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - “The entire mission of Christ can be summarised in this: to baptise us in the Holy Spirit, in order to free us from the slavery of death and ‘open us to heaven', give us access to true and full life which will be like ‘a plunging ever anew into the vastness of being, in which we are simply overwhelmed with joy(Spe salvi, 12).” The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI said this on Sunday 13 January in his reflection before leading the midday Angelus prayer with thousands of people gathered in St Peter's Square. After a solemn Mass, celebrated in the Sistine Chapel with the administration of the sacrament of Baptism to 13 infants, the Pope appeared at his study window and in his address reflected on the Gospel account of the Baptism of Jesus: “It was at the same time Cristophany and Theophany: Jesus revealed himself as the Christ, a Greek word for the Hebrew Messiah, which means ‘the anointed one’: He was anointed not with oil like Israel's kings and high priests, but with the Holy Spirit. At the same time, there appeared with the Son of God, signs of the Holy Spirit and the heavenly Father.”
Dwelling on the baptism which Jesus accepted to receive, the Holy Father explained: “By allowing himself to be baptised with sinners by John, Jesus began to take upon himself the faults of all humanity, as the Lamb of God who ‘takes away’ the sin of the world. A work that he accomplished on the cross when he received his own ‘baptism’. By dying he was ‘immersed’ in the Father's love and he effused the Holy Spirit, so that all who believe in Him might be reborn from that inexhaustible source of new and eternal life”. The Pope concluded urging those present to pray that all Christians “may come to an ever deeper understanding of the gift of Baptism and strive to live it which consistency, bearing witness to the love of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit”.
After the Angelus Benedict XVI mentioned that it was the International Day for Migrants and Refugees, focused on the theme of special attention for young migrants: “In fact for various reasons numerous young people live far from their families and their home country- the Pope said. Girls and minors are particularly at risk. Children and adolescents born and grown in ‘refugee camps: also have the right to a future! I express my appreciation to those who work to assist young migrants and their families, fostering their integration in school and at work; I ask church communities to offer a warm welcome to young people, children and their parents, to strive to understand their stories and further their insertion into society. Dear young migrants! Strive to build with other young people a more just and fraternal society, by doing your duty, keeping the law and not allowing yourselves to be carried away by violence. I entrust you all the Mary, the Mother of all humanity.” (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 14/1/2008; righe 34, parole 487).
