Pope at Angelus: Jesus is the
blessing for each and all
 |
| Pope Francis waves to the faithful during the Angelus on New Year's Day, the Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God. (Vatican Media) |
At the Angelus on New Year’s Day – the Solemnity of Mary the
Mother of God – Pope Francis reflects on the the traditional blessing given in
the first reading from the day’s liturgy.
By Christopher Wells
The image of Mary holding Jesus in her arms was the starting
point for Pope Francis in his reflection for the Angelus on the Solemnity of
Mary the Mother of God. “In this way, showing us Jesus, the Saviour of the
world, she, the mother, blesses us,” he explained. “She
blesses the journey of every man and every woman in this year that is
beginning, and that will be goodprecisely in the measure in which
each one will welcome the goodness of God that Jesus came to
bring into the world.”
The most ancient blessing
The Holy Father turned to the first reading from the day’s
liturgy, which gives us the “most ancient blessing” used by the Israelite
priests to bless the people: “The LORD bless you and keep you. The LORD let His
face shine upon you, and be gracious to you. The LORD turn His face to you and
give you peace.”
The Pope explained that in the Bible, “the name represents
the very reality that is being invoked,” so that in this blessing, the invocation
of the name of God – “LORD” – means offering God’s “beneficial strength” to
those who receive the blessing.
The "face"
of God
In mentioning the “face” of the Lord, the priest asks God to
grant His mercy and peace to those being blessed. The “face” of God represents
His glory, which no man can look upon and live, the Pope said. But although
God’s glory, which is “all Love” remains inaccessible in this life, the grace
of Love shines upon and illuminates every creature, especially “the men and
women in whom it is most fully reflected.”
And this, Pope Francis said, brings us back to the image of
Mary, showing us her Son, Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world. “He is the
Blessing for every person and for the whole human family,” the Pope insisted.
“He is the outpouring of grace, of mercy, and of peace.”
World Day of Peace
The Holy Father explained that this is why Pope St Paul VI
determined that the World Day of Peace should be celebrated on January first,
the Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God. Pope Francis recalled the theme of
this year’s observance, “Good politics at the service of peace.” But, he said,
“We do not think that politics should be reserved only to political leaders:
everyone is responsible for the life of the ‘city,’ for the common good; and
even politics is good in the measure in which each one does
his or her part ‘in the service of peace’.”
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