Reflecting on today’s Gospel that invites meditation on the figure of Saint Joseph, Pope Leo XIV recalled how God reveals Joseph’s mission in a dream to which he responds with great faith and courage being “keenly sensitive and human” even in the face of the immense challenges foreseen and to be faced.
Mercy, faith, and trust
In his catechesis shared with the pilgrims and faithful gathered in Saint Peter’s Square for the midday Angelus on this fourth Sunday of Advent, the Pope recounted how Joseph, even before the Angel revealed to him the mystery that is taking place in Mary, chose a “discreet and benevolent path” of mercy towards her.
And when he experienced the dream that revealed God’s plan of salvation to him, “the purity and nobility of his sentiments” became even more prominent when the Lord showed him the role he must take up as the spouse of the Virgin Mother of the Messiah. The Pope explained that “with a great act of faith, Joseph leaves even the last resort of his security and sets sail toward a future that is now totally in God’s hands.”
“Piety and charity, mercy and abandonment: these are the virtues of the man from Nazareth that today’s liturgy shows us, so that they may accompany us in these last days of Advent, towards Christmas. These are important attitudes that educate the heart to encounter Christ and our brothers and sisters. They can also help us to be, for one another, a welcoming manger, a hospitable home, a sign of God’s presence.”
Following the example of Saint Joseph
The Pope recommended that “in this time of grace” may we follow the example of Joseph and put into practice what he did: “forgiving, encouraging, giving a little hope to those with whom we live and those we meet; and renewing in prayer our filial abandonment to the Lord and his providence, entrusting everything to him with confidence.”
And we can be sure to find help from the Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph, he said, “who with faith and great love were the first to welcome Jesus, the Savior of the world.”
May all children live in peace
The Pope then greeted all those present in Saint Peter’s Square, including over 1,500 children from Rome, and others from Spain and Hong Kong in particular. The Roman children showed the Pope the figures of the baby Jesus – “bambinelli” as they are called in Italy – that they brought with them to be blessed by the Pope. The figurines will then be placed in the nativity scenes in their homes, schools, parishes and oratories.
“Dear children, as you stand before your Nativity scenes, please pray to Jesus for the Pope’s intentions as well. In particular, let us pray together that all the world’s children may live in peace. I thank you from the bottom of my heart! And together with the “bambinelli” and all the expressions of our faith in the Child Jesus, may the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit always bless you. I wish you all a happy Sunday and a holy, peaceful Christmas!”
This article was originally published on Vatican News. All copyrights reserved to the Dicastery for Communication – Vatican News. Unauthorized republication by third parties is not permitted.
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