Pope: May Advent awaken us to God's presence in our daily lives

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Source: Vatican News

On the first Sunday of Advent, Pope Francis called us to "awaken from our slumber" and to always be aware of the presence of God and to welcome Him in our daily lives.

Welcoming pilgrims gathered in Saint Peter's Square for the Angelus the Pope reflected on the day's Gospel, which reminds us that the Lord is coming to be with us, marking the "foundation of our hope," a fact that should give us consolation even in the most difficult times of our lives.

The Pope pointed out that the Lord always "makes Himself close, and will return at the end of time to welcome us in His embrace." But we naturally ask ourselves how this will happen.

The first question the Pope asked requires us to reflect more deeply, as we often hear the Lord is present in our daily lives, accompanying us in our journey. This reality may get lost at times, he observed, as we become distracted by many daily issues, or - perhaps we only look for spectacular and miraculous signs of the Lord's presence. The Pope pointed out how Jesus in today's Gospel reminded His listeners that God will come when we least expect it and in our normal, everyday lives, as in "the days of Noah."

"God conceals Himself in the most common and ordinary situations in our life," Pope Francis said, and we need to be constantly aware of this reality, not awaiting extraordinary events. This can be when we face someone in need, a chance encounter, or even in what might seem quiet or dull moments of daily life. "It is right there that we find the Lord, who calls to us, speaks to us, and inspires our actions."

The Pope said the second question regards how we can recognize and welcome the Lord. "We must be awake, alert, vigilant. Jesus warns us: there is the danger of not realizing His coming and being unprepared for His visit. I have recalled on other occasions what Saint Augustine said: 'I fear the Lord who passes by'… that is, I fear that He will pass by and I will not recognize Him!"

The Pope recalled how Jesus spoke about the people in the time of Noah, who were living their ordinary lives until they were swept away by the floods, as they were absorbed in their own matters. We need to always discern God's presence in our daily lives and not miss this big picture, as can happen when we are distracted by earthly matters only.

The Pope said Advent is the time we can be "shaken out" of our lethargy and awakened "from our slumber" to be vigilant always. We can ask ourselves if we are alert and vigilant, and if we "recognize God's presence in daily situations," saying that if we are unaware of this reality today, we will be unprepared when He arrives at the end of times.

"May we be helped by the Holy Virgin, Woman of waiting, who knew how to perceive the passing of God in the humble and hidden life of Nazareth and welcomed Him in her womb."

After the Angelus, Pope Francis asked everyone to remember in their prayers the people of the Italian island of Ischia recovering from heavy rains that caused flooding and mudslides killing two persons with eleven others missing, according to latest reports. The Pope said he is praying for the victims, those suffering, and all the rescue workers.

Pope Francis then expressed his grave concern at the news from Palestine and Israel where there has been an increase in deadly violence. Last Wednesday, two cowardly attacks in Jerusalem injured many people and killed an Israeli boy. On the same day, during armed clashes in Nablus, a Palestinian boy was killed. Violence kills the future, the Pope said. It shatters the lives of the young and weakening hopes for peace. he said: "Let us pray for these young men who died and for their families, especially their mothers. I hope that the Israeli and Palestinian authorities will more readily take to heart the search for dialogue, building mutual trust, without which there will never be a peaceful solution in the Holy Land."

Pope Francis then remembered Burkhard Scheffler, a 60 year old homeless man who died three days ago beneath the colonnade of Saint Peter's Square. "He froze to death" the Pope said.

Pope Francis greeted participants in a march that morning against sexual violence against women, "unfortunately a general and widespread reality everywhere and also used as a weapon of war. Let us not tire of saying no to war, no to violence, yes to dialogue, yes to peace." The Pope then particularly mentioned "the martyred Ukrainian people."... "Yesterday we recalled the tragedy of the Holodomor" he said - referring to a huge famine imposed on Ukraine by Stalin in 1932-33 - which killed millions of people.

The Pope then greeted various groups in the Square, including, the secretariat of the International Forum of Catholic Action (FIAC), gathered in Rome for its 8th Assembly.

Read the full text of the Pope's Angelus address: www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/angelus/2022/documents/20221127-angelus.html

Watch the Angelus on the Vatican Youtube channel: www.youtube.com/watch?v=keMFeLUD7-A