At noon today, the Vigil of the Birth of the Lord, the Holy Father, Pope Francis appeared at the window of his study in the Vatican Apostolic Palace to recite the Angelus with the faithful and with pilgrims gathered in Saint Peter's Square.
Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!
On this Sunday that immediately precedes Christmas, we hear the gospel passage of the Annunciation (cf Lk 1:26-38).
In this gospel passage we can take note of a contrast between the promises made by the angel and the response given by Mary. This contrast is seen in the dimensions and the content of the expressions used by each of them. The angel says to Mary: Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And behold, you will conceive a son who you will bring to birth and you will call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, he will reign forever over the house of Jacob and his kingdom will have no end (Lk 1:30-33). This is a long revelation, one which opens prospectives previously unheard of. The child who will be born of this humble girl from Nazareth will be called Son of the Most High: it is not possible for us to conceive of a dignity greater than this. And in answer to Mary's question, with which she asks for some explanations, the angel's revelation becomes even more detailed and surprising.
In contrast to such details, Mary's response is a brief phrase, which does not speak of glory, nor does it speak of privilege, but only of availability and of service: Behold the handmaiden of the Lord: may it be done unto me according to your word (Lk 1:38). The content of Mary's words is also different. Mary does not exalt herself before the prospect of becoming the mother of the Messiah, but she remains modest and expresses her own compliance with the Lord's plan. Mary does not boast. She is humble and modest. She remains as she always has been.
This contrast is significant. It helps us to understand that Mary is truly humble and does not try to show off. She recognizes the fact that she is small before God, and she is content to be that way. At the same time, she is aware that the fulfillment of God's plan depends on her response, and therefore she is called to cooperate with this plan with her entire being.
In this circumstance, Mary presents herself with an attitude that perfectly corresponds to that of the Son of God when he comes into the world. He wants to become the Servant of the Lord, to place himself at the service of humanity in order to fulfill the Father's plan. Mary says: Behold, I am the handmaiden of the Lord; and the Son of God, entering into the world, says: Behold, I come, O God, to do your will (Heb 10:7, 9). Mary's attitude fully reflects this declaration by the Son of God, who also becomes the son of Mary. In this way, Our Lady reveals herself to be a perfect collaborator with the plan of God, and she also reveals herself to be a disciple of her Son. Thus, in the Magnificat, she can proclaim: God has raised up the humble (Lk 1:52), because by this humble and generous response, she has gained the highest level of joy, and also the highest level of glory.
While we admire our Mother for her response to the call and the mission of God, we ask her to help each one of us to welcome God's plan in our lives with sincerity, humility and courageous generosity.
Following the recitation of the Angelus, the Holy Father continued:
Dear brothers and sisters,
While we prayerfully wait for the birth of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, we invoke the gift of peace for the whole world, especially those who are suffering most due to ongoing conflicts. In particular, I renew my call that, at Christmas time, those people who have been kidnapped - priests, religious men and women and lay faithful - may be released so that they can return home. Let us pray for them.
I also want to assure my prayer for the people of the Island of Mindanao, in the Philippines, who have been struck by a storm that has left many victims and much destruction. May our merciful God welcome the souls of all those who have died and bring comfort to those who are suffering because of this calamity. Let us pray for those people.
I affectionately greet all of you, faithful of Rome and pilgrims who have come from various other countries, families, parish groups and associations.
At these final hours that separate us from Christmas, I recommend that you might find a few moments to pause in silence and in prayer before the Manger, to adore in your heart the true mystery of Christmas, the mystery of Jesus, who comes to us with love, humility and tenderness.
And, now, remember also to pray for me. Thank you! Have a good Sunday and enjoy your lunch! Good bye!
Greetings of the Holy Father, Pope Francis
prior to the recitation of the Angelus
Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!
On this Sunday that immediately precedes Christmas, we hear the gospel passage of the Annunciation (cf Lk 1:26-38).
In this gospel passage we can take note of a contrast between the promises made by the angel and the response given by Mary. This contrast is seen in the dimensions and the content of the expressions used by each of them. The angel says to Mary: Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And behold, you will conceive a son who you will bring to birth and you will call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, he will reign forever over the house of Jacob and his kingdom will have no end (Lk 1:30-33). This is a long revelation, one which opens prospectives previously unheard of. The child who will be born of this humble girl from Nazareth will be called Son of the Most High: it is not possible for us to conceive of a dignity greater than this. And in answer to Mary's question, with which she asks for some explanations, the angel's revelation becomes even more detailed and surprising.
In contrast to such details, Mary's response is a brief phrase, which does not speak of glory, nor does it speak of privilege, but only of availability and of service: Behold the handmaiden of the Lord: may it be done unto me according to your word (Lk 1:38). The content of Mary's words is also different. Mary does not exalt herself before the prospect of becoming the mother of the Messiah, but she remains modest and expresses her own compliance with the Lord's plan. Mary does not boast. She is humble and modest. She remains as she always has been.
This contrast is significant. It helps us to understand that Mary is truly humble and does not try to show off. She recognizes the fact that she is small before God, and she is content to be that way. At the same time, she is aware that the fulfillment of God's plan depends on her response, and therefore she is called to cooperate with this plan with her entire being.
In this circumstance, Mary presents herself with an attitude that perfectly corresponds to that of the Son of God when he comes into the world. He wants to become the Servant of the Lord, to place himself at the service of humanity in order to fulfill the Father's plan. Mary says: Behold, I am the handmaiden of the Lord; and the Son of God, entering into the world, says: Behold, I come, O God, to do your will (Heb 10:7, 9). Mary's attitude fully reflects this declaration by the Son of God, who also becomes the son of Mary. In this way, Our Lady reveals herself to be a perfect collaborator with the plan of God, and she also reveals herself to be a disciple of her Son. Thus, in the Magnificat, she can proclaim: God has raised up the humble (Lk 1:52), because by this humble and generous response, she has gained the highest level of joy, and also the highest level of glory.
While we admire our Mother for her response to the call and the mission of God, we ask her to help each one of us to welcome God's plan in our lives with sincerity, humility and courageous generosity.
Following the recitation of the Angelus, the Holy Father continued:
Dear brothers and sisters,
While we prayerfully wait for the birth of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, we invoke the gift of peace for the whole world, especially those who are suffering most due to ongoing conflicts. In particular, I renew my call that, at Christmas time, those people who have been kidnapped - priests, religious men and women and lay faithful - may be released so that they can return home. Let us pray for them.
I also want to assure my prayer for the people of the Island of Mindanao, in the Philippines, who have been struck by a storm that has left many victims and much destruction. May our merciful God welcome the souls of all those who have died and bring comfort to those who are suffering because of this calamity. Let us pray for those people.
I affectionately greet all of you, faithful of Rome and pilgrims who have come from various other countries, families, parish groups and associations.
At these final hours that separate us from Christmas, I recommend that you might find a few moments to pause in silence and in prayer before the Manger, to adore in your heart the true mystery of Christmas, the mystery of Jesus, who comes to us with love, humility and tenderness.
And, now, remember also to pray for me. Thank you! Have a good Sunday and enjoy your lunch! Good bye!
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