Pope Francis: Christ’s second coming puts material things in proper perspective

November 28, 2016

In his Angelus address on the First Sunday of Advent, Pope Francis reflected on Christ’s second coming to judge the living and the dead.

“The Gospel doesn’t want to make us afraid, but rather to open our horizons to the final, greater dimension, which relativizes everyday things and at the same time, makes them valuable and decisive,” the Pope told the crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square.

“From this perspective also comes an invitation to sobriety, not to be dominated by the things of this world, by material realities, but instead to govern them,” the Pope continued. “If on the contrary we allow ourselves to be conditioned and dominated by those things, we cannot perceive that there is something much more important: our final encounter with the Lord who comes for us.”

He concluded, “Our Lady, the Virgin of Advent, helps us not to consider ourselves the owners of our lives, not to resist when the Lord comes to change our lives, but to be ready to allow ourselves to be visited by Him, this longed for and welcome guest, even though He will disturb our plans.”

 

---

For all current news, visit our News home page.

---

 
Further information:

• Le parole del Papa alla recita dell’Angelus (Holy See Press Office)
• Angelus Address: On Being Ready for the Lord’s Visit (Zenit)