Today’s gospel (Lk 1,39-45)
In those days Mary got up and went hastily into the hill country, to a city of Judah.
Having entered Zechariah’s house, she greeted Elizabeth. As soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb. Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed in a loud voice: «Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb! What do I owe that the mother of my Lord comes to me? Behold, as soon as your greeting reached my ears, the child leaped for joy in my womb. And blessed is she who believed in the fulfillment of what the Lord spoke to her.”
The Holy Father’s comment
Today the Gospel presents us with Mary who, after the angel’s announcement, visits Elizabeth, her elderly relative. She is also expecting a baby. Theirs is therefore a meeting of two women happy for the extraordinary gift of motherhood. Mary has recently conceived Jesus the savior of the world. And Elizabeth, despite her advanced age, carries John in her womb who will prepare the way for the Messiah: it is John the Baptist. Both have much to rejoice about and perhaps we could feel them distant, protagonists of such great miracles that do not normally occur in our experience. The message that the Evangelist wants to give us a few days before Christmas is different. In fact, contemplating the prodigious signs of God’s saving action must never make us feel distant from him, but rather help us recognize his presence, his love close to us.
For example, in the gift of every life, of every child, of his mother. The gift of life. I read a beautiful thing on the program In Your Image that was written: “No child is a mistake”. There will also be mothers with their children in the square today. And maybe there are also some who are pregnant. Please, let us not remain indifferent to their presence. Let us learn to be amazed by their beauty. Let us bless mothers and give praise to God for the miracle of life. I liked it, because now I can’t do it, when I used to go on the bus, to see that when a pregnant woman gets on, she immediately and whoever gives him her place to sit. It is a gesture of hope and respect.
Brothers and sisters, these days we like to create a festive atmosphere, with lights, decorations and Christmas music. However, let us remember to express feelings of joy every time we meet a mother carrying her baby in her arms or on her lap. And when this happens to us, we pray in our hearts and say “Blessed is the fruit of your womb”. Let us sing with Mary my magnificent soul to the Lord so that every motherhood may be blessed and every mother in the world may be thanked and exalted in the name of God who entrusts men to be able to give life to men and women. Soon we will bless the little children, I have mine here. The Archbishop of Santa Fe gave this to me. It was made by Ecuadorian aborigines.
Hail, Maryfull thanks,
Dóminus tecum.
Bless you in muliéribus,
et benedíctus fructus ventris tui, Iesus.
Sancta Maria, Mater Dei,
ora pro nobis peccatóribus,
nunc et in hora mortis nostrae.
Dear brothers and sisters, I always follow with attention and concern the news that comes from Mozambique and I wish to renew the message of hope, peace and reconciliation to those beloved people.
I pray that dialogue and the search for the common good supported by faith and good will prevail over mistrust and discord. The tormented Ukraine continues to be plagued by attacks that mainly affect children, with bombings ending up on schools and hospitals. How much cruelty. Like in Gaza. I pray for a Christmas that brings peace.
I greet all of you with affection, Romans and pilgrims. I greet the delegation of Italian citizens who live in territories that have long been awaiting reclamation to protect their health. I express my closeness to these populations, especially to those who have suffered there recent tragedy at work in Calenzano.
This morning I had the joy of being with the children and their mothers who attend the Santa Marta dispensary in the Vatican run here, in the Vatican, for the Vincentian nuns. And among them there is a nun who is like their grandmother, the good nun Antonietta, whom they remember with so much love.
And now I bless the little children. The figurines of Baby Jesus that you, dear children and young people, have brought here, which you will then put in the nativity scene when you return home. Thank you for this simple but important gesture.
I heartily bless all of you, your parents, grandparents and your families. And please don’t forget about your grandparents. May no one be left alone during these festive days. And I wish everyone a good Sunday. Please don’t forget to pray for me.
May the Lord bless you. Have a nice lunch and see you.
Images © Vatican Media
