FREIBURG, Germany, SEPT. 25, 2011 (Zenit.org).- In reflecting on the Mary’s «yes» to God’s plans for her to be the mother of God, Benedict XVI is inviting the faithful to adhere to God’s plan without fear.
The Pope reflected on Mary’s «yes» today, before praying the midday Angelus with those gathered at the Freiburg airport, and after celebrating the last public Mass of his four-day state visit to his native Germany.
The Angelus, the Holy Father began, «constantly reminds us of the historical beginnings of our salvation.»
He explained: «The Archangel Gabriel presents God’s plan of salvation to the Virgin Mary, by which she was to become the Mother of the Redeemer.
«Mary was fearful, but the angel of the Lord spoke a word of comfort to her: ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.’
«So Mary is able to respond with her great ‘yes.'»
The Pope noted that with her «yes,» she «accepts to become the handmaid of the Lord,» as well as to God’s plan for our salvation.
«And she finally addresses her ‘yes’ to us all, whom she received as her children entrusted to her at the foot of the Cross,» the Holy Father added. «She never withdraws this promise. And so she is called happy, or rather blessed, for believing that what was promised her by the Lord would be fulfilled.»
Benedict XVI encouraged the faith to «join Mary in her ‘yes,'» and to «adhere trustingly to the beauty of God’s plan and to the providence that he has assigned to us in his grace.»
«Then,» he said, «God’s love will also, as it were, take flesh in our lives, becoming ever more tangible.»
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On ZENIT’s Web page:
Full text: www.zenit.org/article-33524?l=english
