Pope at Mass: ‘God’s consolation leads to peace’
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| Pope Francis delivers the homily at daily Mass in the Casa Santa Marta. |
(Vatican Radio) Let us ask the Lord to help us
recognize true consolation and to conserve it. That was Pope Francis’ message
at morning Mass on Monday in the Casa Santa Marta.
Reflecting on the First Reading in his homily, Pope Francis
said the Lord “visited His people and returned them to Jerusalem.” The word
“visited”, he explained, is important in salvation history, because “every act
of redemption by God is a visitation.”
“When the Lord visits us He gives us joy, that is, He places
us in a state of consolation… You have seeded in tears, but now the Lord
consoles us and gives us spiritual consolation. Consolation happens not only in
a certain moment in time but is a state in the spiritual life of every
Christian. The entire Bible teaches us this.”
The Holy Father went on to exhort those present “to wait”
for the Lord’s visitation. Some moments are stronger than others, but the Lord
“will help us to sense His presence” with spiritual consolation.
He said the Christian must recognize consolation, because
there are false prophets who seem to console us but are, in fact, tricking us.
“The Lord’s consolation moves you and makes you increase in
charity, love, and hope, also making you weep for your sins. When we observe
Jesus and his Passion, we weep with Jesus… You elevate your soul to the things
of Heaven and of God, and your soul is quieted in the peace of God. This is
true consolation.”
In conclusion, Pope Francis reminded all to thank the Lord
in prayer, that He may “pass by” to visit us, helping us to go forward, in
hope, to carry our Cross.
“Conserve these traces of consolation in your memory, just
as God’s people remembered its liberation… Wait for consolation, recognize it,
and conserve it. And, what remains from this passing moment? Peace, for peace
is the highest level of consolation.”
(Devin Sean Watkins)
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