In the Angelus address on the first Sunday of Advent, Pope Francis invites us to face anxieties and false beliefs by “lifting our heads” towards Jesus. He encourages us not to be weighed down by sadness during difficult times, both personally and globally.
Hope Amidst Worries
The Pope began his message by recalling how the anxieties, fears, and concerns of personal life and world events can feel like heavy burdens leading to discouragement. These worries, according to Francis, “weigh down the heart,” leading to isolation and hopelessness. However, by making space for Jesus, especially in this Advent season that prepares us for Christmas, it is possible to “regain hope.”
A Message of Hope in the Gospel
Commenting on the day’s Gospel, which describes cosmic upheavals and distress, the Pope emphasized that Jesus always offers a word of hope to His disciples: “Stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.” Jesus advises them not to let their hearts be weighed down and to watch vigilantly for the coming of the Son of Man. The invitation is clear: lift your gaze and keep your heart light and alert.
Looking to Heaven to Understand Earthly Matters
Francis explained that many contemporaries of Jesus, witnessing persecutions, conflicts, and natural disasters, felt that the end of the world was near, and their hearts were filled with fear. However, Jesus seeks to free them from their anxieties and false beliefs, teaching them to “keep their hearts awake” and to interpret events from God’s plan, who “works salvation” even in the most dramatic moments of history. To this end, Jesus suggests “looking to Heaven to understand earthly matters.”
God’s Love Saves Us at Every Moment
The Pope invites us to adopt Jesus’ recommendation to ensure our hearts are not weighed down. He reflects on how we can have a light, awake, and free heart that is not crushed by sadness. Sadness, says Francis, is something terrible that we must avoid.
Do Not Yield to Discouragement
Francis calls us to trust in God’s love, which “wants to save us” and draws near to us in every circumstance of our lives. He invites us to reflect: Is my heart burdened by fear, worries, and anxieties about the future? Can I see daily events and historical occurrences with God’s eyes, in prayer, with a broader perspective? Or do I let myself be overcome by discouragement?
Finally, the Pope hopes that this Advent season will be a “valuable opportunity” to lift our gaze towards the One who “lightens the heart” and “supports us on our journey.”
