Pope Francis: With the birth of Jesus, the heavens are opene

On the day of the Baptism of Christ, as at Christmas, we dwell on the "open heavens." Those were the words of Pope Francis today ahead of the recitation of the Angelus on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. "The manifestation of the Son of God on earth," he said, "marks the beginning of the great time of mercy, after sin had closed the heavens. With the birth of Christ the heavens are opened! God gives us in Christ the guarantee of an indestructible love." This extraordinary occasion -- contemplating the open heavens -- is possible even in our day by allowing "ourselves to be invaded by the love of God, which is given to us for the first time in Baptism, by means of the Holy Spirit." Turning one's gaz ...