Pope at Angelus: Renewing faith and encountering Christ in the Jubilee Year

At the Angelus on January 26, the Sunday of the Word of God, Pope Francis reflected on the Gospel of Luke, highlighting how the Jubilee Year offers Christians a chance to recognize their need for salvation and renew their encounter with Christ.

Addressing the faithful before the Angelus prayer, the Pope recalled Jesus’ visit to the synagogue in Nazareth, where He declared Himself the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy.

This moment, Pope Francis explained, posed a critical question to His listeners: “Is He merely the carpenter's son, or is He truly the Messiah sent by God to save us from sin and evil?”

The Pope described the shock of the people of Nazareth, who believed they knew Jesus too well. Instead of opening their hearts, this familiarity became a barrier, like a veil obscuring the light.

Pope Francis noted that this challenge remains relevant today, as believers are called to examine their own understanding of Jesus.

He cautioned against the assumption that familiarity with Jesus—through upbringing, school, or culture—equates to truly knowing Him.

He encouraged Christians to ask themselves if they genuinely recognize Jesus as the Son of God and Savior. “Do we sense the unique authority with which Jesus speaks? Do we recognize Him as the bearer of salvation that no one else can give?”

The Pope emphasized that acknowledging our need for salvation is essential to making this Jubilee a true Year of Grace.

Pope Francis concluded by urging the faithful to seek the intercession of Mary, the Mother of God, to help them recognize Jesus. “Let us turn confidently to Mary, our Mother, to guide us on this journey of faith,” he said.