Pope Francis: Salvation is a gift to be received with a humble heart, just like Mary
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis said salvation can’t be bought or sold but is a gift
that requires a humble heart like that of Mary. The qualities needed for salvation
were the focus of his homily at Tuesday’s Mass in the Santa Marta residence, taking
place on the Solemnity of the Annunciation.
Listen to this report by Susy
Hodges:
The Pope recalled
how pride of heart led Adam and Eve to disobey God but said this knot of disobedience
was then loosened by Mary with her act of obedience.
“The Lord is walking
alongside his people. And why does he walk alongside them with so much tenderness?
It’s to soften our hearts. He explicitly says this, ‘I will make your heart of stone
become a heart of flesh.’ It’s to soften our hearts to receive a promise he made in
Heaven. Sin entered among mankind but for another man comes salvation. And this
very long road will help all of us to have a more human heart, closer to God, not
so proud, not so self-sufficient.”
Pope Francis reflected on how today’s
liturgy speaks to us about the stages along this road of recovery, how it speaks to
us about obedience and meekness regarding the Word of God.
“Salvation cannot
be bought or sold: it’s a gift. It’s given to us, it’s free. We can’t be saved through
ourselves: Salvation is a totally free gift. It’s not bought through the blood of
bulls or goats: it can’t be bought. But in order to receive this salvation, we need
a humble heart, a meek heart, an obedient heart. Like that of Mary. And the model
for this road towards salvation is the same God, his Son, who didn’t consider being
equal to God an advantage which cannot be abandoned. Paul said this.”
The
Pope went on to stress the need for a road of humility and humiliation, walking along
it in God’s presence with “obedience and meekness in our hearts.”
“Today
we can embrace our Father who, thanks to the blood of his Son, became like one of
us in order to save us. This is the God who is waiting for us every day …. Let’s
look at the icon of Eve and Adam, let’s look at the icon of Mary and Jesus. Let’s
look at the road of history with God who walks alongside his people. And let’s say:
‘Thank you. Thank you Lord because today you told us that you have given us salvation.’
Today is a day to give thanks to the Lord.”