Pope:
at Christmas Jesus knocks at the doors of your heart
Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Sunday invited the faithful to
listen carefully when God knocks at their door. “Too often – he said – Jesus
passes by in our lives, he sends an angel and we are so caught up in our
thoughts and concerns we do not even notice”.
Speaking to the pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the
Angelus Prayer, the Pope reflected on the liturgy of the last Sunday of Advent
that tells of the Annunciation of the Archangel Gabriel to Mary and on
how she simply, and humbly – with an attitude of total faith in the Lord – said
“yes”. She said “I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according
to your word” (Luke 1, 38).
Mary – Pope Francis said - did not know what had been laid out
for her in the future, she did not know what pains and what risks she would be
called to face. But she was aware that the Lord had asked something of her and
she trusted in him completely. This – he said – is the faith of Mary!
Another aspect to take note of – Francis continued – is this
capacity of Mary to “recognize the time of God”. Thanks to her the Incarnation
of the Son of God was possible.
Mary teaches us – the Pope said – to be aware of the favorable moment
in which Jesus passes in our lives asking for a ready and generous answer.
And Jesus – he said – does pass in our lives. At Christmas he
knocks at the heart of every Christian and each of us is called to respond,
like Mary, with a sincere and personal “yes”, putting ourselves at the disposal
of God and of his mercy.
How often – the Pope pointed out – we so caught up in our own
thoughts and concerns, perhaps in these very days in our preparations for
Christmas, that we do not even notice that he is knocking at the doors of our
hearts, asking for a welcome, asking for a “yes”.
And recalling the words of a Saint who used to say “I am afraid
that the Lord will pass me by” the Pope explained that he was really afraid
that he would not notice the Lord’s presence and would not be ready to respond.
This attitude – Francis said – and this fear that we feel in our hearts “is
really the Lord knocking” and it makes us want to be better, to be close to
others and to God.
“If this is what you feel, stop” - the Pope said – “the Lord is
there! Pray, go to confession, do some cleaning up… this is good. But remember:
if you feel this wish to be better, it is He who is knocking. Don’t let him
pass you by!”
And Pope Francis concluded his reflection recalling the silent,
prayerful figure of Joseph, as he is portrayed in every nativity scene.
The example of Mary and Joseph – he said – is an invitation to
all of us to welcome Jesus openly; he comes to bring the gift of peace: “peace
on earth to those on whom his favor rests” ((Luke 2, 14).
Just as the angels said to the shepherds – Pope Francis said –
the precious gift of Christmas is peace, and Christ is our true peace: “Christ
is knocking at the doors of our hearts go give us His peace. Let us open those
doors to Christ!”
(Linda Bordoni)
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