During Mass on the first day of the year, the Feast of Mary, Mother of God, Pope Francis reflected on the feeling of amazement. He said one should feel amazed at the beginning of the year, since life offers opportunities to begin again.
The pope also said Christians should be amazed by the Mother of God as he reflected on three points. The first point is to allow ourselves to be gazed upon.
POPE FRANCIS
“The gaze of the Mother, and the gaze of every mother. A world that looks to the future without a mother’s gaze is shortsighted. It may well increase its profits, but it will no longer see others as children.”
The second point is to be embraced. He said while the world is chaotic, a mother's embrace is that which grounds the children, helping them feel safe and consoled.
POPE FRANCIS
“Our Lady, in other words, took everything to heart; she embraced everything, events both good and bad. She pondered all these things; she brought them before God. This was her secret. In the same way, she now takes to heart the life of each of us. She wants to embrace our every situation and to present it to God.”
The third point the pope reflected on is allow ourselves to be taken by the hand. Just as mothers take their children's hand and introduce them to life, he said Christians should not wander far from Our Lady.
POPE FRANCIS
“Mary, take us by the hand. Clinging to you, we will pass safely through the straits of history. Lead us by the hand to rediscover the bonds that unite us. Gather us beneath your mantle, in the tenderness of true love, where the human family is reborn.”
The pope said when wandering it is easy to get lost and forget our mother's love. Then, one can get caught up in indifference, bitterness and anger, destroying all unity.
