Pope at Angelus: Strive to become credible voices who testify to the coming of Jesus

Pope Francis reflects on the power of silence, on the need to listen and to become credible voices who testify to the coming of the Son of God.

By Linda Bordoni

Taking inspiration from the Gospel reading on this second Sunday of Advent, Pope Francis drew attention to the figure of John the Baptist and described him as “the voice of one crying in the desert.”

At the Angelus, the Pope reflected on the seemingly contradictory images of “the voice, a means to speak” and “the desert, an empty place where you do not communicate.”

“They are joined by John the Baptist,” he said, explaining the meaning of the desert in the Apostle's preaching.
 

From his position near the Jordan River, symbolically close to where his people entered the promised land many centuries earlier, the desert from where John the Baptist preaches is a place of silence and essentials “where someone cannot afford to dwell on useless things but needs to concentrate on what it is indispensable to live.”

This, Pope Francis said, “is an always relevant reminder: to proceed on the journey of life, we need to be stripped of the more because to live well does not mean being filled with useless things, but being freed from the superfluous, to dig deeply within ourselves so as to hold on to what is truly important before God.”

“Hold on to what is truly important before God.”

Silence and sobriety, the Pope added, be it in words, the use of material possessions, or engagement with media, should be integral elements in the life of the Christian.

The voice of authenticity

Focussing on the second image  - the voice - Pope Francis highlighted its connection to silence, “because it expresses what matures inside, from listening to what the Spirit suggests.”

“If someone does not know how to be quiet, it is unlikely they will have something good to say; while, the more attentive the silence, the stronger the word,” he said.

“The more attentive the silence, the stronger the word.”

What place does silence have in my days?

Finally, the Pope suggested we ask ourselves: “What place does silence have in my days?”

“Is it an empty, perhaps oppressive, silence? Or is it a space for listening, for prayer, for guarding my heart? Is my life sober or filled with superfluous things?” he said.

Even if it means going against the tide, he concluded, “Let us value silence, sobriety and listening.”

“May Mary, Virgin of silence, help us to love the desert, to become credible voices who testify to her Son who is coming.”

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10 December 2023, 12:08

The Angelus is a special prayer recited by Catholics three times a day, at 6am, noon, and 6pm and is accompanied by the ringing of the Angelus bell. The name comes from the Latin word for Angel and the prayer itself reminds us of how Jesus Christ assumed our human nature through the Mystery of the Incarnation.
The Pope recites the Angelus prayer in St Peter’s Square every Sunday at midday.
He also gives a brief reflection on the Gospel of the day and often comments on some issue of international concern. The Pope’s words are broadcast all over the world on radio and television and widely shared on social media.
From Easter to Pentecost the Regina Coeli is prayed instead of the Angelus. This prayer commemorates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and, like the Angelus, concludes with the recitation of the Gloria three times.

Latest Angelus / Regina Coeli

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