Pope Francis led the Holy Mass on the Sunday of the Word of God, encouraging Christians to let the Holy Spirit bring Christ into their lives through regular Bible reading. He described the Gospel as a joyful message that calls for acceptance and community on our journey to God’s Kingdom. This year’s theme is “I Hope in Your Word,” and during the Mass, he appointed 40 lay people as Lectors from various countries.
In his homily, the Pope spoke about a passage from Luke where Jesus reads from Scriptures at the synagogue in Nazareth. He emphasized that this Sunday coincides with the Jubilee for Communication, starting a series of events leading to the 2025 Jubilee of Hope. He stated that Jesus is the living Word who fulfills the writings of the Scriptures. Francis encouraged everyone to be open and willing to be renewed by the Word of God, which should inspire awe in us.
He outlined five key actions of Christ’s mission: first, to bring good news to the poor, highlighting the coming of God’s Kingdom; second, to free captives, showcasing the mercy and salvation offered through Christ; third, to give sight to the blind, encouraging an openness to truth; fourth, to release the oppressed, reminding us of the call for freedom and brotherhood; and fifth, to announce the year of the Lord’s favor, linking it to hope and renewal.
The Pope noted that while Christ’s salvation is a promise, it is not fully realized yet, as demonstrated by ongoing suffering and conflict in the world. Nonetheless, he affirmed that the Gospel remains a powerful message that offers hope. Concluding, he urged Christians to share this good news and actively work to help the needy, free the captives, and spread joy and compassion.