Pope: God-with-us, his presence is the source of joy
During the Angelus Pope Francis commented on the liturgical readings of Gaudete Sunday. “In a remote village in the Galilee, in the heart of a young woman unknown to the world, God ignited the spark of happiness for the whole world. And today the same proclamation is addressed to the Church,” he said. “No concern, no fear shall ever take away the serenity that comes from knowing that God lovingly guides our lives, always.” The pontiff urged the international community to implement the directives of the Marrakech conference on migration. He also mentioned the blessing of the Little Children (Bambinelli) brought by the children of Rome.
Vatican City (AsiaNews) – In today’s Angelus, Pope Francis commented on the liturgy of the Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday) on “Jesus, the Emmanuel, the God-with-us: his presence is the source of joy”.
The proclamation of the Prophet Zephaniah ("The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst", 3:15) "finds its full meaning in the moment of the annunciation to Mary, narrated by the Evangelist Luke. The words addressed by the Angel Gabriel to the Virgin are like an echo of those of the prophet: ‘Hail, favoured one! The Lord is with you’ (Lk 1:28). In a remote village in the Galilee, in the heart of a young woman unknown to the world, God ignited the spark of happiness for the whole world. And today the same proclamation is addressed to the Church, called to welcome the Gospel so that it becomes flesh, actual life: ‘Hail, small Christian community, poor and humble but beautiful in my eyes because you ardently desire my Kingdom, you are hungry and thirsty for justice, patiently weave peace, do not pursue those currently powerful but stay faithfully close to the poor. And thus, you are not afraid of anything but your heart is in joy.’”
"No concern, no fear shall ever take away the serenity that comes from knowing that God lovingly guides our lives, always. Even in the midst of problems and sufferings, this certainty nourishes hope and courage. But in order to welcome the Lord's invitation to joy, we need to be people willing to question ourselves. Just like those who, after listening to the preaching of John the Baptist, asked him: ‘What then should we do?’ (Lk 3:10). This question is the first step in the conversion that we are invited to make in the period of Advent. May the Virgin Mary help us open our hearts to the God who comes, so that He may flood our whole life with joy."
After the Marian prayer, Francis spoke about the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration that was approved a few days ago in Marrakesh (Morocco). Vatican Secretary of State Card Pietro Parolin addressed the meeting. The Pope expressed hope that the international community, "thanks also to this instrument, will work with responsibility, solidarity and compassion for those who, for various reasons, have left their country. I entrust this intention to your prayers."
Lastly, the pontiff addressed the children of Rome’s oratories who gathered in St Peter’s Square this Sunday for the blessing of the Little children (Bambinelli) that will be placed in the crib. "Dear children,” he said, “when, in your homes, you gather in prayer before the nativity scene, setting your gaze on the Child Jesus, you will feel the amazement at the great mystery of God made man. The Holy Spirit will put the humility, the tenderness and the goodness of Jesus in your heart. Jesus is good, Jesus is true, Jesus is humble. This is the real Christmas! Let it be this way for you and your family."
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11/08/2017 20:05
