Pope Francis recites his first Angelus of the New Year and focuses on the importance of trusting us in the motherly gaze of Mary – through whom everything is possible.
By staff author of Vatican News
Pope Francis opened his first Angelus of the New Year by urging believers to ‘place ourselves under the motherly and loving gaze of Mary the Most Holy.’ The pope explained that the day of the liturgy celebrates Mary as ‘mother of God’.
Pope Francis further explained that during our journey along the paths of time, we are ‘the reassuring and comforting gaze of the Blessed Virgin Mary’ who encourages us as we entrust our anxiety and torment to her, ‘who can do anything’. Mary looks at us with the same tenderness of the mother with which she looked at her son Jesus, and this look is an ‘encouragement’, he said. This look ensures that this time “given to us by the Lord” can be time spent “for our human and spiritual growth,” the pope continued; a time “to iron out hatred and division”; “To feel that we are all more brothers and sisters”; “To build and not to destroy” and “to care for one another and for creation”.
World Day of Peace
The Pope noted the theme of this year’s Word Day of Peace: The culture of care as a ‘path to peace’. The theme, the pope continued, “is dedicated to caring for others and for creation”.
Pope Francis further remarked that ‘the painful events that have marked the path of mankind in recent years, especially the pandemic, teach us how necessary it is to be interested in the problems of others and to share their concerns’. This attitude, he continued, “represents the path that leads to peace”. He explained that this is an attitude that ‘promotes the building of a society based on relationships of brotherhood’.
‘Each one of us, the men and women of our time, is called to make every day and in every area of life a reality and to reach out to a brother or sister who has a word of comfort, a gesture of tenderness need. , a helping hand of solidarity ”, says the pope.
Peace that comes from within
“Peace can be built if we begin to be at peace with ourselves and with those around us,” he continued, explaining that it means “removing the obstacles that prevent us from caring for the needy and needy.” What is needed, the pope stressed, is to develop a mentality and care culture, “to defeat the indifference, discord and rivalry that unfortunately prevails”.
“Peace is not only the absence of war, but a life rich in meaning, planned and lived in personal fulfillment and brotherly sharing with others. Then that peace that is so longed for and always threatened by violence, selfishness and wickedness becomes possible and achievable ”, he said.
“In families, in work, in nations: peace. Peace. And now that we think that today’s life is settled by wars, enmity, by so many things that are destroyed … we want peace. And that’s a gift. . “
After his New Year’s Angelus reflection, Pope Francis prayed that the Virgin Mary ‘will obtain the precious things of peace for us from heaven’ and he expressed his hope that ‘peace will reign in the hearts and minds of men; in places of work and leisure; in communities and nations ”.
Finally, the Pope wishes all believers and everyone around the world a happy and peaceful 2021: a year filled with confidence and hope ‘.