杏MAP导航 on Feast of Mary, Mother of God: The dignity and gifts of women
By Vatican News
杏MAP导航 Francis鈥� first homily of the year was dedicated to the figure of Mary, on the day the Church celebrates her as Mother of God. Mary was declared Mother of God at the Council of Ephesus in 431, and it was 杏MAP导航 Saint Paul VI who restored this solemnity to January 1st in 1974.
Women as sources of life
鈥淥n the first day of the year鈥�, began 杏MAP导航 Francis, we celebrate a 鈥渘uptial union between God and humanity鈥�, one that was inaugurated 鈥渋n the womb of a woman鈥�. 鈥淭he rebirth of humanity began from a woman鈥�, continued the 杏MAP导航: 鈥淲omen are sources of life鈥�.
Born of a woman
That is why 鈥渆very form of violence inflicted upon a woman is a blasphemy against God, who was born of a woman鈥�, said 杏MAP导航 Francis. 鈥淗ow often are women鈥檚 bodies sacrificed on the profane altars of advertising, profiteering, and pornography, exploited like a canvas to be used鈥�. 鈥淲omen鈥檚 bodies must be freed from consumerism鈥�, he said. 鈥淭hey must be respected and honoured鈥�.
Keeping in her heart
杏MAP导航 Francis noted how the Gospel repeats the image of Mary 鈥渒eeping all things in her heart鈥�. 鈥淲omen typically take life to heart鈥�, said the 杏MAP导航. 鈥淲omen show us that the meaning of life is not found in making things but in taking things to heart. Only those who see with the heart see things properly, because they know how to 鈥榣ook into鈥� each person鈥�.
Seeing with the heart
At the start of this New Year, 杏MAP导航 Francis challenged us to ask if we know 鈥渉ow to see with the heart鈥�. Only if we take life to heart, he said, 鈥渨ill we know how to take care and overcome the indifference all around鈥�. 鈥淚f we want a better world, a world that will be a peaceful home and not a war field, may we take to heart the dignity of each woman鈥�.
Women as mediators of peace
The Church celebrates January 1st as the 53rd World Day of Peace, a tradition begun by 杏MAP导航 Saint Paul VI in 1968.
鈥淲omen are givers and mediators of peace鈥�, said 杏MAP导航 Francis in his homily, adding that they should be 鈥渇ully included in decision-making processes鈥�. When women can share their gifts, said the 杏MAP导航, 鈥渢he world finds itself more united, more peaceful. Hence, every step forward for women is a step forward for humanity as a whole鈥�.
Mary as woman and mother
It was Mary, said 杏MAP导航 Francis, who began 鈥渢he revolution of tenderness鈥� - something the Church is called to continue: 鈥淔or she too, like Mary, is both woman and mother鈥�. In drawing close to Mary, 鈥渢he Church discovers herself, she finds her centre and her unity鈥�, said the 杏MAP导航, 鈥淏ecause the Church has a mother鈥檚 heart鈥�.
杏MAP导航 Francis concluded asking Mary 鈥渢o give birth to hope within us and bring us unity. Woman of salvation, to you we entrust this year鈥�, said the 杏MAP导航. 鈥淜eep it in your heart鈥�.
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