Vatican
City, 23 December 2013 (VIS) – At midday the Pope appeared at the
window of his study to pray the Angelus with the faithful gathered in
St. Peter's Square, and reflected on the Gospel reading of this
fourth Sunday of Advent, which relates the events preceding the birth
of Jesus from the point of view of St. Joseph.
Mary
and Joseph lived in Nazareth but they did not live together, as they
had not yet celebrated marriage. However Mary, after receiving the
annunciation from the Angel, was with child through the work of the
Holy Spirit, and when Joseph discovered this, he was perplexed.
“The
Gospel does not explain his thoughts, but it tells us the basics: he
seeks to do God's will and is ready to make a radical renunciation.
Instead of defending himself and asserting his rights, Joseph chooses
a solution that represents, for him, a great sacrifice. And the
Gospel tells us that Joseph, 'being a righteous man and unwilling to
disgrace her, decided to divorce her secretly'. This short sentence
encapsulates a real inner drama, if we consider Joseph's love for
Mary. But, as in the case of Abraham, the Lord intervenes: 'Joseph,
son of David', he said, 'don't be afraid to take Mary as your wife,
because what has been conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit'.”
The
text, continued the Pope, “shows us the greatness of St. Joseph's
soul. He was leading a good life and had plans, but God had other
plans for him, a greater mission. Joseph was a man who always
listened to God's voice … attentive to the messages that came from
the heart and from on high. He did not insist on pursuing his life's
plans, or to allow resentment to poison his soul, but rather was
willing to place himself at the service of the novelty presented to
him in this troubling way. He did not hate, and he did not allow
resentment to poison his soul”.
“But
how often do hate, antipathy and resentment contaminate our souls!
Never allow this to happen!” exclaimed the Holy Father. “Joseph
is an example of this. And in this way, he became even freer and
greater. Accepting himself in accordance with the Lord's plan, Joseph
finds himself fully, and goes beyond himself. This freedom of his, to
give up all that he has and to renounce his own existence, and his
full inner openness to the will of God, challenges us and shows us
the way”.
“We
therefore celebrate Christmas contemplating Mary and Joseph: Mary,
the woman full of grace who had the courage to entrust herself
totally to God's word; Joseph, the faithful and just man who
preferred to believe in the Lord instead of listening to the voices
of doubt and human pride. With them, we walk together towards
Bethlehem”.
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