Dear brothers and sisters,
in this Sunday's Gospel (Mk 10:46-52) we read that while the Lord passed through the streets of Jericho, a blind man named Bartimaeus is directed towards him shouting, "Son of David, Jesus, have mercy on me." This prayer touches the heart of Christ, who stopped, had him called and heals him. The decisive moment was the personal, direct encounter between the Lord and that suffering. They are located opposite one another: God with his desire to heal the man with his desire to be healed. Two freedoms, two converging desires: "What you want me to do?", He asks the Lord. "Let me see again," replies the blind man. 'Go, your faith has saved you. " With these words the miracle. God's joy, joy of man. And Bartimaeus, who has come to light - tells the Gospel - "followed him on the road" that becomes a disciple and salt with the Master to Jerusalem to participate with him in the great mystery of salvation. This account, in the essentiality of its passages, evokes the catechumen's journey towards the Sacrament of Baptism, which in the early Church was also called "Enlightenment".
Faith is a journey of enlightenment: the humility to recognize the part to be saved and come to a personal encounter with Christ, who calls to follow the path of love. On this model the Church's itinerary of Christian initiation, preparing for the sacraments of baptism, confirmation (or confirmation) and the Eucharist. In places of ancient evangelization, where the baptism of children is widespread, are offered to youth and adult catechetical and spiritual experiences that allow you to follow a path of rediscovery of faith in a mature and conscious, to then take consistent efforts to testimony. How important is the work that the pastors and catechists in this field! The rediscovery of the value of their Baptism is the basis of the missionary commitment of every Christian, because we see in the Gospel that those who allow themselves fascinated by Christ can not help but witness the joy of following in his footsteps. In this month of October, especially dedicated to the mission, we understand even more that just by virtue of Baptism, we possess an innate missionary vocation.
Let us invoke the intercession of the Virgin Mary, so multiply the missionaries of the Gospel. Intimately united with the Lord, may every baptized person feel that they are called to proclaim to all the love of God, the witness of their lives.
Angelus November 26, 2006
Angelus November 26, 2006
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