Pope Francis said that “when the Lord visits us He gives us joy” in his September 25, 2017 homily at Casa Santa Marta, Vatican Radio Reported.
Pope Francis said the Lord “visited His people and returned them to Jerusalem.” The word “visited”, he explained, is important in salvation history, because “every act of redemption by God is a visitation,” according to Vatican Radio.
Through his visits, the Lord “places us in a state of consolation… You have seeded in tears, but now the Lord consoles us and gives us spiritual consolation. Consolation happens not only in a certain moment in time but is a state in the spiritual life of every Christian. The entire Bible teaches us this.”
The Pope told the congregation “to wait” for the Lord’s visitation. He said the Christian must recognize consolation, because there are false prophets who seem to console us but are, in fact, tricking us, according to Vatican Ratio.
“The Lord’s consolation moves you and makes you increase in charity, love, and hope, also making you weep for your sins. When we observe Jesus and his Passion, we weep with Jesus,” Francis said. “You elevate your soul to the things of Heaven and of God, and your soul is quieted in the peace of God. This is true consolation.”
The Holy Father reminded those present to thank God for his visits, helping us to carry our cross.
