The Pope said the Church best learns the true Christian gratitude and hope of the Virgin Mary, as she contemplates the newborn Savior.
Pope Francis rang in the new year and gave thanks for 2023 during a special New Year’s liturgy at the Vatican, stressing that faith allows Christians to “live this hour differently from a worldly mentality.”
“Faith in Jesus Christ, God incarnate, born of the Virgin Mary, gives a new way of experiencing the time which is life,” the Pope said during his homily at the December 31 liturgy in the Saint Basilica. -Pierre, summarizing this unique perspective. with the words “gratitude and hope”.
The Pope offered his reflection while presiding over the annual celebration of “first vespers,” or evening prayer, for the vigil of the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, the first liturgical day of the new calendar year. The liturgy in St. Peter’s Basilica also included the singing of “Te Deum Laudaumus,” a hymn of thanksgiving sung on New Year’s Eve in thanks for the past year.
The Pope contrasted Christian gratitude and hope with worldly versions of these virtues which are only “apparent” and have no deeper connection to God and all humanity.
“They are focused on the ego, on its interests, and therefore they are out of breath, they cannot go beyond satisfaction and optimism,” the Pope said.
In contrast, Francis said the Christian perspective is characterized by “praise, astonishment and gratitude,” based on the mystery of the Incarnation expressed in an antiphon of the evening liturgy:
“Oh wonderful exchange! The Creator of man became man, born of the Virgin. We have been made partakers of the divinity of Christ, who humbled himself to share in our humanity.
The Pope said the Church best learns the true Christian gratitude and hope of the Virgin Mary, as she contemplates the newborn Savior.
“The hope of Mary and of the Church is not optimism, it is something else: it is faith in God, faithful to his promises,” Pope Francis said. “This faith takes the form of hope in the dimension of time, one could say, “on the way”. The Christian, like Mary, is a pilgrim of hope.
The evening liturgy in St. Peter’s Basilica was attended by 6,500 people, according to Vatican authorities. It included sung psalms, sung hymns, and readings from the sacred scriptures.
During his homily, Pope Francis also urged those gathered to look towards 2024, particularly towards preparations for the Jubilee Year 2025 which will take place in Rome in the coming year. The theme of the Jubilee Year is “Pilgrims of Hope”.
“Are we working, each in our neighborhood, so that this city is a sign of hope for those who live there and for those who visit it? » asked the Pope to those present.
He stressed the importance of providing a “good welcome” to visitors who come to St. Peter’s Basilica, as well as accommodation for the elderly and disabled in the historic center of Rome.
“A city that is more pleasant to live in for its citizens is also more welcoming for all,” Pope Francis said.
The Pope ended his homily by urging Christians to go to the school of Mary.
“Could we have a better teacher (of prayer) than our Blessed Mother? » declared Pope Francis. “Let us learn from her to live each day, each moment, each occupation with an inner gaze turned towards Jesus. »
“Joys and sorrows, satisfactions and problems. All in the presence and with the grace of Jesus, the Lord. All with gratitude and hope.
