Because this year it falls on Lent Sunday, the Annunciation, an ancient festivity celebrated nine months before Christmas, will be observed tomorrow. The Pope decided however to mention “this wonderful mystery of the faith which we contemplate every day during the recitation of the Angelus.”
“The Annunciation is a humble, hidden event that no one saw or knew,” the Pope said, “except for Mary. But at the same time it is a decisive moment in the history of humanity. When the Virgin said ‘Yes’ to the Angel’s Annunciation, Jesus was conceived and with Him began a new era in history, which was eventually sanctioned by the ‘new and eternal covenant.”
“In fact,” the Pontiff said, “Mary’s Yes was the perfect reflection of that by Christ when he came into the world as one can read in the way the Letter to the Hebrews interprets Psalm 39: “Then I said, ‘As is written of me in the scroll, Behold, I come to do your will, O God’ (Heb 10: 7).”
The Son’s obedience mirrors that of the Mother and thus, thanks to the meeting of these two “Yes”, God was able to take a human form. Since it celebrates a central mystery of Christ, His incarnation, the Annunciation is also a Christological event.”
”Mary’s response to the Angel continues in the Church, which has been called to make Christ present in history, making itself available so that God may continue to visit humanity with His Mercy.”
In order to stress the Saints’ and Martyrs’ “Yes,” the Pope mentioned the Day of Prayer and Fasting for missionary martyrs, which was commemorated yesterday, the anniversary of the murder of Mgr Oscar Romero, archbishop of San Salvador.
Remembering “bishops, priests, men and women religious and laity struck down in their mission of evangelisation and human promotion,” the Pontiff stressed that “the missionary martyrs . . . are the ‘hope of the world,’ because they bear witness that Christ’s love is stronger than violence and hatred. They did not seek martyrdom, but were ready to give their lives in order to remain faithful to the Gospel. Christian martyrdom can be justified only as a supreme act of love towards God and one’s brothers.”
Finally, the Pope noted that “in this time of Lent, more frequently do we contemplate Our Lady who on Calvary seals the “Yes” she pronounced in Nazareth. United with Jesus, Witness of the Father’s love, Mary experienced the martyrdom of the soul. We invoke with confidence her intercession that the Church, faithful in its mission, may bear courageous witness to God’s love before the whole world.”
Earlier, the Pope had paid a pastoral visit to a parish in the Roman suburbs, St. Felicita and Martyrs Sons. I’m guessing it is this one, staffed by the Vocationist Fathers.
Yesterday, the Pope met with the Council of European Bishops’ conferences and Teresa B has a translation of his speech here. I would expect an English translation up at Zenit tormorrow.
In the present historical moment and in the face of the many challenges that characterize our time, the European Union – in order to be a valid guarantor of rights and an effective promoter of universal values, cannot but recognize clearly the existence of a stable and permanent human nature, which is the source of common rights for every person, including those who would deny those rights. In this context, the right to conscientious objection must be safeguarded every time fundamental human rights are violated.
Dear friends, I know how difficult it is for Christians to defend the truth about man strenuously. But do not tire of doing so, and do not be discouraged!
You know you have the task to contribute to build, with the help of God, a new Europe which is realistic but not cynical, rich with ideals and free from ingenuous illusions, inspired by the perennial and life-giving truth of the Gospel.
Therefore, be actively present in the public debate at the European level, knowing that it is also part of national debates, and couple such mission with effective cultural action. Never yield to the logic of power for its own ends.
Let Christ’s own advice be your constant stimulus and support when He said: "If salt loses its taste…it is no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot" (Mt 5,13).
May the Lord make fruitful every effort of yours and help you to recognize and value the postiive elements in our civilization today while courageously renouncing everything that is contrary to the dignity of man.
I am sure the Lord will not fail to reward the generous efforts of all who, in a spirit of service, work to build a common home for Europe where every cultural, social and political contribution must be aimed at the common good.
Photo captions and credits here. Photos are from the parish visit.
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