Pope at Jubilee Audience: ‘To hope is to turn around to God’
Vatican news
In his second audience of the Jubilee on Hope, Pope Francis invites us to adopt conversion as a trip of a lifetime, high-end of the figure of Marie-Madeleine, “the apostle of the apostles” who, in Jesus , has found a new direction and a new meaning in his life.
By Lisa Zengarini
During his second catechesis of the jubilee on Saturday, Pope Francis made a reflection on the meaning of conversion, hope and transformative power of faith, encouraging the faithful to rethink their lives within the framework of the “dream of God ».
Change direction and perspective
The conversion, he explained, is a “change of direction”, which allows us to change the way we see things in our lives. It is not a unique event but a continuous process in which we have several times turned old ways of thinking and adopt new possibilities.
This dynamic change in perspective, suggested the Pope, is what gives birth to hope: even in a world filled with suffering and reprehensible acts, hope emerges when individuals recognize the presence of those who live differently – People whose humility and transformation captivate and inspire others, he said.
Marie-Madeleine, healed by the mercy of God
To illustrate this theme, Pope Francis underlined the figure of Marie-Madeleine who embodies the power of divine mercy. Jesus healed Mary-Madeleine, restoring his dignity and his goal. Thanks to this meeting, she was brought back to God’s dream, finding a new direction and a meaning in her life, showing that conversion does not only concern personal change but also on a greater reality shaped by the love of God.
The pope focused in particular on John’s story on the meeting of the Madeleine with the risen Christ, drawing attention to the repeated mention of Mary “turning around”. Initially, she focuses on the empty grave, lost in sorrow, unable to recognize Jesus who stands before her. But when she intends to call her by name, she turns once again – this time with a new understanding. She no longer sees death, but life; No more despair, but hope.
Turn around to see things differently
From this passage, says the pope, learn a crucial lesson: this true faith requires a continuous conversion, which we must remain open to seeing reality differently.
The pope challenged us to ask us, “Do I know how to turn around to see things differently?” And “do I have the desire to convert?”
A proud ego prevents us from recognizing the risen Jesus
He warned that an “too confident and proud ego prevents us from recognizing the risen Jesus” which appears in unexpected forms – on the faces of ordinary people, in particular those who are marginalized or neglected. “Even when we mourn and despair,” he added, “we turn our back on him.”
Bearing his reflection to his end, Pope Francis invited the faithful to learn from Mary-Madeleine “to turn to life”, the “real life” where the risen Jesus has a place and a mission for us “, instead To look in the darkness of the past. “In Jesus, he concluded:” Everyone can say: I have a place, I am a mission! “
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