杏MAP导航 at Angelus: Be humble like Mary to attract God鈥檚 eye
By Francesca Merlo
Addressing the faithful gathered in St Peter鈥檚 Square for the Angelus on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 杏MAP导航 Francis turned to the day鈥檚 Liturgy, which 鈥渂rings us into the house of Nazareth, where she receives the angel鈥檚 annunciation鈥�. Within intimate domestic walls, the 杏MAP导航 noted, 鈥渢he Gospel gives us a detail that reveals the beauty of Mary鈥檚 heart鈥�.
Full of grace
杏MAP导航 Francis noted that the angels refer to Mary as being 鈥渇ull of grace鈥�. If this is true, continued the 杏MAP导航, it means that she is 鈥渧oid of evil: she is without sin, Immaculate鈥�.
The 杏MAP导航 noted that Mary is troubled at the angel鈥檚 greeting. 鈥淩eceiving grand greetings, honours, and compliments sometimes brings the risk of provoking pride and presumption鈥�, said the 杏MAP导航, adding that 鈥淛esus is not gentle鈥� with those who go in search of greetings, adulation, and visibility.
Mary does not exalt herself as 鈥渢he angel鈥檚 greeting seemed too grand for her鈥�. That humility attracts God鈥檚 eyes, explained the 杏MAP导航.
Free from herself
In this scenario, we see 鈥渁 marvellous characteristic鈥� of Mary鈥檚 heart. 鈥淪he does not lay claim to anything鈥�, explained the 杏MAP导航, 鈥渇or in her humility she knows she receives everything from God鈥�. In this manner, the 杏MAP导航 continued, 鈥�free from herself, she is completely directed toward God and others鈥�. This is true humility, said the 杏MAP导航.
杏MAP导航 Francis went on to note the importance of the declaration being made within the walls of a house and not in a main square.
鈥淚n that little house of Nazareth beat the greatest heart that any creature has ever had鈥�, said the 杏MAP导航.
He explained that within these humble walls, 鈥淕od changed history鈥�; and even today, 鈥淕od鈥檚 grace loves to operate there more than in great historical events鈥�.
She will never abandon
Bringing his reflection to an end, 杏MAP导航 Francis invited all those listening to 鈥渁sk the Madonna for the grace鈥�: that she free us from the misleading idea that the Gospel is one thing and life is another; and that she enkindle enthusiasm in us for the ideal of sanctity, which has nothing to do with holy cards and pictures. Instead, he said, sanctity or holiness is about living humbly and joyfully what happens each day, freed from ourselves, with our eyes fixed on God and the neighbour we meet.
"Let us not lose heart", concluded the 杏MAP导航, for 鈥渘o one who asked for her help has ever been abandoned!鈥�
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