Mary does not give in to frustration or helplessness

In political life, too, past conflicts between peoples can painfully come to the fore. Mary shows herself to be a woman open to forgiveness, to setting aside resentment and suspicion. She does not dwell on what might have been had her Son’s friends, or the priests of his people and their rulers, acted differently. She does not give in to frustration or helplessness.

Mary trusts Jesus and receives his disciple, for the relationships that heal us and free us are those that open us to encounter and fraternity with others, in whom we find God himself.

Bishop Sloskans (1), who rests here, after being arrested and sent away, wrote to his parents: “I beg you from the bottom of my heart: do not let vengeance or exasperation find a way into your hearts. If we permitted that to happen, we would not be true Christians, but fanatics.” 

(1) Latvian Bishop Boļeslavs Sloskāns (1893-1981), was deported to Siberia and imprisoned by the Soviet regime. He was declared venerable in 2004. 

Pope Francis

Homily of September 24, 2018, at the Shrine of the Mother of God, Aglona (Latvia)

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