Pope Francis: imitate Mary, do not let God pass by
December 22, 2014
In his December 21 Angelus address, Pope Francis reflected upon the Annunciation, the subject of the Gospel reading of the day’s Mass (Lk. 1:26-38).
“We take in two essential aspects of her attitude, which is for us a model of how to prepare for Christmas,” the Pope said to the crowds who had gathered in St. Peter’s Square. “Above all, her faith, her attitude of faith, which consists in listening to the Word of God to abandon herself to this Word with complete availability of mind and heart.”
“The other aspect is the capacity of the Mother of Christ to recognize the time of God,” he continued. “Mary is the one who has made possible the incarnation of the Son of God, the ‘revelation of the mystery which was kept secret for long ages’ (Rom. 16:25).”
The Pope added:
Each one of us is called to respond, as Mary did, with a personal and sincere “yes,” placing ourselves fully at the disposal of God and his mercy. How many times Jesus comes in our lives and how many times he sends us an angel. And how many times we don’t realize it because we are very busy, submerged in our thoughts, in our activities, and in these days, in the preparation for Christmas, and we don't realize the one who is passing by and knocking at the door of our hearts asking to be welcomed, asking for a “yes” like that of Mary …
When we feel in our hearts, “I would like to be better. I repent of this thing I’ve done,” there is the Lord who calls, who makes us feel this, the desire to be better, the desire to be closer to others, to God. If you feel this, stop. The Lord is there. Go to pray, and maybe go to confession to clean up the dwelling a bit. This is good. But remember well, if you feel this desire to improve, it is he who is calling. Do not let him pass by.
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Further information:
- Le parole del Papa alla recita dell’Angelus (Holy See Press Office)
- Pope: at Christmas Jesus knocks at the doors of your heart (Vatican Radio)
- Zenit translation
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