Pope: Let us gaze upon the Child Jesus,
the Son of God
(Vatican
Radio) Pope Francis has celebrated Christmas Mass at St Peter’s Basilica.
Below, you can find the prepared text of the Holy Father’s homily for the Holy
Mass of the Nativity of the Lord “during the Night”:
Homily
of His Holiness Pope Francis
Christmas Midnight Mass
Christmas Midnight Mass
24
December 2015
Tonight
“a great light” shines forth (Is 9:1); the light of Jesus’ birth shines all
about us. How true and timely are the words of the prophet Isaiah which we have
just heard: “You have brought abundant joy and great rejoicing” (9:2)! Our
heart was already joyful in awaiting this moment; now that joy abounds and
overflows, for the promise has been at last fulfilled. Joy and gladness are a
sure sign that the message contained in the mystery of this night is truly from
God. There is no room for doubt; let us leave that to the sceptics who, by
looking to reason alone, never find the truth. There is no room for the
indifference which reigns in the hearts of those unable to love for fear of
losing something. All sadness has been banished, for the Child Jesus brings
true comfort to every heart.
Today,
the Son of God is born, and everything changes. The Saviour of the world comes
to partake of our human nature; no longer are we alone and forsaken. The Virgin
offers us her Son as the beginning of a new life. The true light has come to
illumine our lives so often beset by the darkness of sin. Today we once more
discover who we are! Tonight we have been shown the way to reach the journey’s
end. Now must we put away all fear and dread, for the light shows us the path to
Bethlehem. We must not be laggards; we are not permitted to stand idle. We must
set out to see our Saviour lying in a manger. This is the reason for our joy
and gladness: this Child has been “born to us”; he was “given to us”, as Isaiah
proclaims (cf. 9:5). The people who for two thousand years has traversed all
the pathways of the world in order to allow every man and woman to share in
this joy is now given the mission of making known “the Prince of peace” and
becoming his effective servant in the midst of the nations.
So
when we hear tell of the birth of Christ, let us be silent and let the Child
speak. Let us take his words to heart in rapt contemplation of his face. If we
take him in our arms and let ourselves be embraced by him, he will bring us
unending peace of heart. This Child teaches us what is truly essential in our
lives. He was born into the poverty of this world; there was no room in the inn
for him and his family. He found shelter and support in a stable and was laid
in a manger for animals. And yet, from this nothingness, the light of God’s
glory shines forth. From now on, the way of authentic liberation and perennial
redemption is open to every man and woman who is simple of heart. This Child,
whose face radiates the goodness, mercy and love of God the Father, trains us,
his disciples, as Saint Paul says, “to reject godless ways” and the richness of
the world, in order to live “temperately, justly and devoutly” (Tit 2:12).
In
a society so often intoxicated by consumerism and hedonism, wealth and
extravagance, appearances and narcissism, this Child calls us to act soberly,
in other words, in a way that is simple, balanced, consistent, capable of
seeing and doing what is essential. In a world which all too often is merciless
to the sinner and lenient to the sin, we need to cultivate a strong sense of
justice, to discern and to do God’s will. Amid a culture of indifference which
not infrequently turns ruthless, our style of life should instead be devout,
filled with empathy, compassion and mercy, drawn daily from the wellspring of
prayer.
Like
the shepherds of Bethlehem, may we too, with eyes full of amazement and wonder,
gaze upon the Child Jesus, the Son of God. And in his presence may our hearts
burst forth in prayer: “Show us, Lord, your mercy, and grant us your salvation”
(Ps 85:8).
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