Pope Francis led Mass November 29 Sunday. In his homily he noted that it “is the season for remembering” God’s closeness, a time to “be watchful” so that we can escape the “slumber of mediocrity” and the “slumber of indifference.”
The Holy Father concelebrat-ed the service with the new cardinals he created Consistory, marking the start of Advent. Last evening, the Pope and the cardi-nals visited Benedict XVI.
In the area of St Peter’s Basilica overlooking the Altar of the Chair, in addition to the cardinals, new and old, there were about a hundred faithful, linked in some way to the new cardinals. All those present wore medical masks and kept the distance required by regulations related to the pandemic.
In his homily the Pope also stressed the importance of Advent, the start of the liturgical year, in which “we need to recognize God’s closeness and to say to him: ‘Come close to us once more!’ […] Let us make our own the traditional Advent prayer: ‘Come, Lord Jesus’ (Rev 22:20).
“Why should we waste time complaining about the night, when the light of day awaits us?” Why should we look for ‘patrons’ to help advance our career? All these things pass away. Be watchful, the Lord tells us.” –AsianNews