杏MAP导航

By Francesca Merlo

Addressing the faithful gathered on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, 杏MAP导航 Francis turned to the Gospel of the day, which recounts the Annunciation. In doing so, the Holy Father focused on two of Mary鈥檚 attitudes 鈥渢hat help us understand how she would have guarded the unique gift she received 鈥� a heart completely free from sin鈥�.

These two attitudes, the 杏MAP导航 said, are 鈥�amazement regarding the works of God and fidelity in the simple things鈥�.

Amazement

Focusing first on amazement, 杏MAP导航 Francis recalled the Angel telling Mary to rejoice, and calling her 鈥渇ull of grace鈥�. 杏MAP导航 Francis noted that Mary was 鈥渢roubled鈥� at being called full of grace, but then became 鈥渁mazed鈥� when she understood that means 鈥渇illed with God鈥檚 love鈥�.

This attitude is very important, said the 杏MAP导航, explaining that we should never take the Lord鈥檚 gifts for granted. 鈥淚t is also important to demonstrate this amazement before others, speaking humbly about God鈥檚 gifts, about the good received, and not only about daily problems鈥�, he added.

Fidelity in the simple things

杏MAP导航 Francis then went on to speak of the second attitude: fidelity in simple things. He noted that there is nothing about Mary in the Gospel before the Annunciation and that she is presented as a simple girl, apparently equal to so many others who were living in her village, Nazareth. A young girl, continued the 杏MAP导航, who, 鈥渟pecifically because of her simplicity, kept pure that Immaculate Heart with which, by God鈥檚 grace, she had been conceived鈥�. This, too, is important, as 鈥渢o welcome God鈥檚 great gifts, it is necessary to know how to treasure those that are more everyday and less noticeable鈥�, said the 杏MAP导航.

杏MAP导航 Francis then explained that 鈥渋t is with her daily fidelity in goodness that Our Lady allowed God鈥檚 gift to grow within her鈥�.

Make the small choices necessary

Bringing his catechesis to a close, 杏MAP导航 Francis invited all the faithful following to ask themselves whether they believe in the importance of their fidelity to God, whether they find time to read the Gospel, to pray and participate in the Eucharist, and to perform some tangible act of disinterested service. 鈥淭hese鈥�, the 杏MAP导航 concluded, 鈥渁re the small choices necessary to welcome the Lord鈥檚 presence鈥�.