Say 'YES' to the Lord: The Holy Father's reflection during the Feast of the Annunciation

Pope Francis encourages priests to follow Mary's footsteps and say 'yes' to the Lord.

Say 'yes.' While celebrating the Feast of the Annunciation, Pope Francis stood in front of his audience during Mass at the Casa Santa Marta and encouraged them to open their hearts even more to God.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Francis took his cues from Mary and her "yes" to God during the Annunciation that ultimately led to the "yes" of Jesus. During his homily, the Holy Father cited several incidents from the Scriptures where believers stood up and said "yes" to the Lord.

According the Vatican Radio, "he spoke of Abraham who obeyed the Lord and left his land without knowing his destination and he recalled that 'humanity of men and women' - even although many were elderly like Abraham or Moses - 'who said "yes" to hope offered by the Lord.'"

The pontiff also noted on those who were initially hesitant in accepting the Lord, but ultimately said "yes," like Isaiah and Jeremiah.

It was Mary's "yes" that brought us Jesus Christ. It was Mary who allowed God to "not only look over man and walk with him," but that "yes" allowed God to become "one of us and take on our flesh," according to Pope Francis.

"Mary's 'yes' opens the door to Jesus' 'yes': I have come to do Your will, this is the 'yes' that Jesus carries with him throughout his life, until the cross," he said. "Today, he said, is a beautiful day in which to thank God for showing us that path, but also for thinking about our lives"

Choosing to take this as an opportunity to call for more dedication to the Church, Pope Francis looked out and asked how many times we chose to pretend we didn't hear God's calling to say 'yes.' He encourages everyone to "persevere in always listening to the Lord's voice."

"It is God's 'yes' that sanctifies us and keeps us alive in Jesus Christ."

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