Enlarge the Horizons of Our Hearts

At the beginning of Advent, Pope Francis encourages us to reflect on the contrast between our daily routine and the unexpected coming of the Lord. The Gospel, the Pope said, is not trying to frighten us, but “to enlarge the horizons of our hearts” to further dimensions, giving meaning even to everyday occurrences.

This perspective is also an invitation to “sobriety, to not be dominated by the things of this world” but rather to keep them in their proper place. If, on the other hand, we allow ourselves to be overpowered by a concern for material things, we will not be able to perceive what is much more important: our final encounter with the Lord.

Pope Francis concluded, “…we need to learn to not depend on our own securities, our own established plans, because the Lord comes in the hour which we don’t imagine.”