Pope Francis: On the feast of the Baptism of the Lord we contemplate the face and voice of God

In his words prior to praying the Sunday Angelus, Pope Francis reflected on the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River, an event in which “the Epiphany of God takes place, revealing his face in the Son and making his voice heard.” .

Before the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square, the Pontiff said that the feast of the Baptism of Jesus, which the Catholic Church celebrates this January 12, “makes us think about many things, also about our baptism.”

“Jesus joins his people, who are going to receive baptism for the forgiveness of sins. I like to remember the words of a hymn from today’s liturgy: Jesus goes to be baptized by John ‘with his naked soul and his bare feet,’” he added.

Pope Francis explained that “when Jesus receives baptism, the Spirit is manifested and the Epiphany of God takes place, revealing his face in the Son and making his voice heard that says: ‘You are my very dear Son, in whom I have set my heart.’ all my predilection. The face and the voice.”

The Pontiff said that when “the Father reveals himself through the Son, God establishes a privileged place to enter into dialogue and communion with humanity. It is the face of the beloved Son.”

“Secondly,” he added, “the voice: ‘You are my very dear Son.’ This is another sign that accompanies the revelation of Jesus.”

In that sense, the Pope reiterated that the feast that the Church celebrates today “makes us contemplate the face and voice of God, which are manifested in the humanity of Jesus.” “And then let’s 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 able to recognize his face in Jesus and in his brothers? And are we used to hearing his voice?”

Then, he invited us to ask ourselves: “Does each of us remember the date of our baptism? This is very important! Think: on what day was I baptized?”

“And if we don’t remember, when we get home, we ask the parents, the godparents, the date of the baptism. And we celebrate that date as a new birthday: that of the birth in the Spirit of God. Don’t forget it! “This is a job to do at home: the date of my baptism,” he said.

After praying the Marian prayer, Pope Francis again expressed his closeness to the people affected by the fires in California.

In addition, he asked for prayers for the children baptized this morning in the Sistine Chapel and highlighted the beatification of priest Giovanni Merlini, of the Missionaries of the Most Precious Blood, which took place today in the Basilica of Saint John Lateran.

Finally, he called for peace “in Ukraine, in the Middle East and throughout the world.” “Let us not forget that war is always a defeat,” he reiterated.