Pope says humility is needed to highlight God’s love

08 April, 2013 - For a Christian, progressing means lowering oneself on the road of humility in order to let God’s love emerge and stand out. Pope Francis made the point in his homily during Monday morning’s Mass at the Domus Sanctae Marthe in the Vatican where he is residing. Present at the Mass were among others, some sisters of charity renewing their religious vows, the staff and employees of the Vatican Television Centre (CTV) and journalists of Vatican Radio’s Brazilian programme. Commenting on Monday’s Gospel episode of the Annunciation, the Pope noted that the road of Mary and Joseph went right up to Bethlehem, in order to respect the Roman emperor’s decree for census. The Pope described this as “a road of humility.” Mary, who did not understand things clearly, entrusted her soul to God’s will, the Pope explained. Joseph bent down in order to assume the great responsibility of his wife awaiting a son. The Pope said, God goes through all this and takes up the road of humility in order to reach us. Our God, he explained, is not a god of powerful idols who commands and makes himself heard. He is not a man-made wooden idol, a false God, but a God who prefers the road of humility as chosen by Jesus who lowered Himself to the Cross. According to Pope Francis, to progress, to go forward and lower oneself is the golden rule. If a Christian cannot lower himself/ herself, he/she is not a Christian, the Pope said. However, he pointed out, being humble does not mean going about with downcast eyes. This was not the case of Jesus, Mary or Joseph. Taking up the road of humility means that the love of God shows up on this road. If there is no humility, love is blocked and one cannot go ahead, the Pope added.