In his weekly Angelus, Pope Francis reflected on the second Sunday of Advent and it's invitation to prepare for the coming of the Lord.
The pope stressed the need for conversion in waiting for the Lord's coming. He said this first must be done through opening oneself and taking care of others.
POPE FRANCIS
“We are called to tackle the sadness caused by coldness and indifference, opening ourselves to others with the same sentiments of Jesus, namely, with that cordialness and fraternal attention that take care of one’s neighbor's needs.”
Pope Francis added that one cannot have a relationship of 'love, charity and fraternity' with their neighbor if there are 'holes.' He said this must be overcome through concrete gestures of reconciliation with one's neighbor.
POPE FRANCIS
“We must overcome much harshness caused by pride and arrogance. How many people, perhaps not realizing it, are arrogant, are rough, do not have cordial relationships with others. This must be overcome by carrying out concrete gestures of reconciliation with our brothers and request forgiveness for our faults.”
He used the example of John the Baptist who 'opens paths in the desert' and points to hope despite 'failure and defeat.'
The pope concluded by asking for the Blessed Mother's intercession to help prepare all for the Lord's coming through 'patience, seeds of peace, of justice and of fraternity.'
