Pope at Angelus: Everything changes when you truly know the Lord
In his reflections on the Sunday Gospel, Pope Francis reminds us that knowledge of the Lord is important, but so also is following Him and letting ourselves be transformed by His Gospel so that we can truly be converted.
By Vatican News
Recounting the Gospel of today's liturgy when Jesus asks his disciples, “But who do you say that I am?," Pope Francis recalled how Peter answered the Lord, saying "You are the Christ." He answered perfectly, the Pope observed, but moments later when Jesus speaks about the suffering and death He must suffer, Peter objects to it and the Lord strongly rebukes him, saying, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not on the side of God, but of men.” While Peter answered correctly before, his way of thinking was still that of "men," the Pope explained, as he he wanted a strong and victorious Messiah, one who cannot suffer and die.
We also can find ourselves in the same position, the Pope pointed out, as we can also understand something about the Lord and respond correctly, but our mindset remains worldy, still in need of conversion to be open to God's ways and our call to follow Him. So we may know Church doctrine, say our prayers correctly, and be familiar with the catechism, the Pope explained, but we still need to better know the Lord, more than just something about Him. He said this means following the Lord and letting our hearts and minds be touched and transformed by His Gospel.
The Pope underscored the importance of our relationship and encounter with the Lord in order to know Him. He said this encounter is what changes your life: the way you are, the way you think, the relationships you have with your brothers and sisters, the readiness to accept and forgive, the choices you make in life.
“Everything changes if you have truly come to know Jesus! Everything changes.”
In concluson, the Pope recalled the witness of Lutheran theologian and pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a victim of Nazism, who wrote in his Letters and Papers from Prison about the role of Christianity in the world and the need to ask ourselves who Christ really is for us today. He lamented how many no longer ask themselves this fundamental question, so important for coming to know and follow the Lord.
The Pope said we also would do well to ask ourselves who Jesus is in our own lives, and whether we follow Him only in word or if we are really open to a personal encounter with the Lord who can transform our lives. The Pope prayed that the Blessed Mother may help us in this effort.
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What is the Angelus
The Angelus is a special prayer recited by Catholics three times a day, at 6am, noon, and 6pm and is accompanied by the ringing of the Angelus bell. The name comes from the Latin word for Angel and the prayer itself reminds us of how Jesus Christ assumed our human nature through the Mystery of the Incarnation.
The Pope recites the Angelus prayer in St Peter’s Square every Sunday at midday.
He also gives a brief reflection on the Gospel of the day and often comments on some issue of international concern. The Pope’s words are broadcast all over the world on radio and television and widely shared on social media.
From Easter to Pentecost the Regina Coeli is prayed instead of the Angelus. This prayer commemorates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and, like the Angelus, concludes with the recitation of the Gloria three times.
Latest Angelus / Regina Coeli
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Angelus
Angelus Dómini nuntiávit Mariæ.
Et concépit de Spíritu Sancto.
Ave Maria...
Ecce ancílla Dómini.
Fiat mihi secúndum verbum tuum.
Ave Maria...
Et Verbum caro factum est.
Et habitávit in nobis.
Ave Maria...
Ora pro nobis, sancta Dei génetrix.
Ut digni efficiámur promissiónibus Christi.
Orémus.
Grátiam tuam, quǽsumus, Dómine,
méntibus nostris infunde;
ut qui, Ángelo nuntiánte, Christi Fílii tui incarnatiónem cognóvimus, per passiónem eius et crucem, ad resurrectiónis glóriam perducámur. Per eúndem Christum Dóminum nostrum.
Amen.
Gloria Patri... (ter)
Requiem aeternam...
Benedictio Apostolica seu Papalis
Dominus vobiscum.Et cum spiritu tuo.
Sit nomen Benedicat vos omnipotens Deus,
Pa ter, et Fi lius, et Spiritus Sanctus.
Amen.
The Angelus Prayer
The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.
And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.
Hail Mary, etc...
Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
Be it done unto me according to Your Word.
Hail Mary, etc...
And the Word was made Flesh.
And dwelt among us.
Hail Mary, etc...
Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.
That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray:
Pour forth, we beseech You, O Lord,
Your Grace into our hearts;
that as we have known the incarnation of Christ,
Your Son by the message of an angel,
so by His Passion and Cross
we may be brought to the glory of His Resurrection.
Through the same Christ, Our Lord.
Amen.
Glory be, etc… (3 times)
Eternal rest…
Apostolic Blessing
The Lord be with you.
And with your spirit.
Blessed be the name of the Lord.
Now and forever.
Our help is in the name of the Lord.
Who has made Heaven and Earth.
May Almighty God bless you.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
