Pope Francis called “Do not confuse the party with consumerism” already “to remain close to our brothers who suffer from war, misery, hunger and slavery”after praying the Angelus for the celebration of Christmas.
“The Gospel presents us with the scene of annunciation, the angel to explain to Mary how to conceive Jesus tells her: the Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the strength of the Most High will cover you with his shadow,” said the Supreme Pontiff during the Marian prayer. in the St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican.
And he asked to “stop at this image” of the shadow: “In the land of Mary, perennially sunny, a passing cloud, a tree that resists drought and offers shelter, a hospitable tent provide relief and protection,” and he added that ” “That’s God’s way.”
“The shadow is a gift that restores and the angel describes precisely in this way the way in which the Spirit descends on Mary, the way of God: it acts as a gentle love that embraces, fertilizes and protects, without doing violence, without hurting freedom”, the Pope noted.
Angelus of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican
“God is for us, he is our shelter, our refuge. The shadow speaks, in short, of the gentleness of God. It is as if he said to Mary, but also to us, ‘I am here for you and I offer myself as your refuge and your shelter: come under my shadow, stay with me,” he exclaimed.
And he added: “This is how the fruitful love of God behaves; each of us can experience that love, caring for others with kindness, among ourselves. God loves like this and calls us also to do the same: welcoming, protecting and respecting others.”
On the other hand, the Pontiff assured that “As we celebrate the holidays, we will meet relatives and friends we may not have seen in a while, but there will also be more than a few who will spend the holidays alone.”
In this regard, Francis invited us to attend to others “in a delicate and discreet way: listening, accompanying, visiting, becoming a ‘shadow of the Most High’ for others.”
Then, the pope referred to the “Italians who live in contaminated territories and are waiting to be reestablished, I wish them solidarity and that their voice be heard.”
Pope Francis: “Let us not confuse celebration with consumerism”
“I wish all of you a happy Sunday and a Christmas vigil in prayer, in the warmth of affection and sobriety,” said Francis, adding: “Allow me a recommendation: let’s not confuse partying with consumerism.”
“You can as a Christian and you should celebrate in simplicity, without spending so much and sharing with those who lack what they need or who lack company,” the Pope stated.
Finally, he requested: “Let us remain close to our brothers and sisters who suffer from war, let us think about Palestine, Israel, Ukraine, let us also think about those who suffer from misery, hunger, slavery. God who has taken the human heart , who founds humanity in the hearts of men.”
Source: Ambito
