During his Sunday Angelus, Pope Francis spoke about conversion and preparing the way for Jesus during the time of Advent.
The pope remembered that John the Baptist was like missionaries throughout the world today who meet with the people and deliver the 'central messageâ? of Christianity.
POPE FRANCIS
'This phrase is very important: 'The kingdom of God is among you,' says Jesus. And John announces that Jesus will say later: 'The Kingdom of God is at hand and is indeed in the middle of us.' This is the central message of every Christian mission.â?
However, Pope Francis explained that there is one condition in order to enter to enter this kingdom: heeding the call to conversion.
POPE FRANCIS
'The condition to become part of this kingdom is to make a change in our life; that is to repent. To convert everyday, to keep moving forward everyday. It is to leave the streets, convenient but misleading, the idols of this world: success at all costs, power at the expense of the weak, the thirst for wealth, pleasure at any price and instead to open the way for the Lord who comes.â?
With this call to conversion, the pope explained that following Christ does not 'take away our freedom,â? but instead brings 'true happiness,â? as it frees Christians from 'selfishness, sin and corruption.â?
He concluded by mentioning the feast day of the Immaculate Conception on December 8, and asking the Virgin Mary for her intercession for a true conversion of heart and for peace.
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