Pope Francis: This is how God loves, and He calls us to do the same: welcoming, protecting, and respecting others.
(Vatican News) On the Fourth Sunday of Advent, Pope Francis encourages us to open our hearts to God's loving kindness and to respond to His call to be gentle, respectful, and caring for others.
Welcoming pilgrims and visitors to Saint Peter's Square for the midday Angelus on the eve of Christmas, Pope Francis offered reflections on the Gospel reading for today's Fourth Sunday of Advent, which recounts the scene of the Annunciation as the Angel tells Mary she will conceive Jesus and "the power of the Most High will overshadow you."
Shade that shelters
Focusing on the importance of the word "shadow," the Pope explained how the Holy Land has so many sunny days per year with intense summer heat, and how shade can offer relief and protection, whether provided by a passing cloud, a tree, or a tent.
The shade that is created is "a gift that refreshes," the Pope remarked, and is frequently mentioned in the Bible.
“The angel describes how the Holy Spirit descends upon Mary, and that this is god's way of acting: God always acts as a gentle love that embraces, that fertilizes, that protects, without doing violence, without infringing freedom.”
Kindness that protects
The shadow symbolizes the kindness of God, the Pope explained, where God offers Mary - and even us today - Himself as a refuge, a shelter under His shadow. "This is how God’s fruitful love operates," he noted, and something we can experience in ways with "gentle and respectful, caring for others with kindness" shown to family, friends, and those we meet in life.
“This is how God loves, and He calls us to do the same: welcoming, protecting, and respecting others.”
Caring for others
The Pope added we need to remember everyone, especially the marginalized and those who are far from experiencing the joy of Christmas during these days, and hoped that we may all remember and reflect "the kindness of God."
Opening our hearts
In conclusion, the Pope recommended that at this time of Christmas Eve we look at our own lives and how to open our hearts to God's kindness, gentleness, and meekness, "drawing near to His forgiveness, to the Eucharist." Then he suggested we reach out to lonely or needy people we might know, offering ourselves as "a refreshing shadow, a comforting friend.”
“May Mary help us to be open and welcoming to the presence of God, who with meekness comes to save us.”
Source: Pope at Angelus: Open your hearts to God's love, show kindness to all