The Holy Spirit and the Redemption Won by Christ: Pope Francis’ Reflections
As the summer break comes to an end, Pope Francis resumes his General Audiences, delving into the profound work of the Holy Spirit in the Redemption won by Christ.
By Christopher Wells
After a hiatus in June, the Pope once again graces the faithful with his reflections on the transformative role of the Holy Spirit. Transitioning from the Spirit’s involvement in Creation, Pope Francis now shifts focus to the New Testament, exploring how the Holy Spirit played a pivotal part in the Redemption brought forth by Jesus Christ.
The Holy Spirit and the Incarnation
In his recent audience, Pope Francis zeroed in on the significance of the Holy Spirit in the Incarnation of the Word. He highlighted the Creed’s statement that affirms the Holy Spirit’s involvement in Jesus being “incarnate of the Virgin Mary and becoming man.”
This declaration, the Pope emphasized, is a unifying belief among Christians of various traditions, evident in the daily recitation of the Angelus in Catholic devotion.
The Blessed Virgin Mary, a figure of the Church
Building on this foundational truth, Pope Francis drew parallels between the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Church, drawing from the teachings of the Second Vatican Council. Just as Mary conceived and bore Christ, the Church, through faith, welcomes Christ and is called to nurture His presence. Without embracing the Word of God, the Church’s mission risks barrenness in its proclamation.
Concluding his catechesis, Pope Francis reflected on Mary’s question at the Annunciation – “How is this possible?” – and applied it to the Church’s challenge in proclaiming Christ’s salvation to a world consumed by temporal pursuits.
‘With God, nothing will be impossible’
Quoting from the Acts of the Apostles, the Pope underscored the indispensable role of the Holy Spirit in enabling the Church to move forward, grow, and effectively proclaim the Gospel. He urged all baptized individuals to draw strength from the same source, especially in moments of daunting challenges, recalling the Angel’s assurance to Mary that “With God, nothing will be impossible.” Believing in this promise, the Pope asserted, empowers believers to witness miraculous transformations, reaffirming the limitless potential of God’s power.
