Third Sunday of Advent: Evangelii Gaudium
By Sister Mary Lisa Megaffin
Pope Francis I recently issued an Apostolic Exhortation entitled The Joy of the Gospel or Evangelii Gaudium. What Catholics are discovering and treasuring is his simplicity-especially in his lifestyle and in his direct approach to faith as a profound experience of the person of Jesus. What is also exciting for us as Sisters of Notre Dame, consecrated women religious who have always tried to be true “daughters of the Church,” is the simplicity of his writing style.
In this document, Francis helps us understand Mary’s role as the Mother of Evangelization, the Mother of the Good News. This image is a powerful message for us as we prepare for the good news of Christmas.
“Mary was able to turn a stable into a home for Jesus with poor swaddling clothes and an abundance of love. She is the handmaid of the Father who sings his praises. She is the friend who is concerned that wine not be lacking in our lives. She is the woman whose heart was pierced by a sword and who understands all our pain. She is the missionary who draws near to us and accompanies us throughout life, opening our hearts to faith by her maternal love. As a true mother, she walks at our side, she shares our struggles and she constantly surrounds us with God’s love. (In the Marian shrines) we find strength from God to bear…weariness and suffering. As she did with Juan Diego at Guadalupe, Mary offers maternal comfort and love, and whispers in our ear: ‘Let your heart not be troubled…Am I not here, who am your Mother?'”
Follow this link for the full text of “The Joy of the Gospel.”
Leave a Reply