Pope Leo XIV reflected on the word "prepare" during his General Audience, emphasizing its significance in Christian life. The Pope discussed how preparing for the Eucharist involves removing encumbrances, reducing demands, and letting go of unrealistic expectations. Pope Leo highlighted that true love, as exemplified by Jesus's passion, is a conscious choice that requires preparation. The Pope pointed out that God has already prepared a place for us, as symbolized by the prepared room in the Gospel passage.
4 months ago
Pope Leo XIV has initiated a new series of General Audience teachings focusing on the mystery of Jesus' passion, death, and resurrection 1, 2, 4. The inaugural address in this series centered on the profound significance of the word "prepare" 1, 2. This theme was explored in the context of the Passover, emphasizing its relevance to both liturgical celebration and daily life 2, 4.
The Holy Father highlighted how the Gospel account of preparing for the Passover, with its symbolic details like the man with the water jar and the "upstairs room already prepared," signifies that God always precedes us 1, 2, 4. This "prepared room" fundamentally represents our heart, a space God has already made ready for us to recognize ourselves as His friends 1, 4. Jesus' deliberate and conscious decision to embrace His passion, rather than acting out of fatalism, exemplifies that true love is a conscious choice requiring preparation, not a sudden impulse 1, 2, 4.
A key teaching from the Pope's address is the dynamic relationship between divine grace and human freedom 1, 2, 4. Pope Leo XIV explained that God's grace does not negate our freedom but rather awakens it, making our responsibility fruitful instead of eliminating it 1, 2, 4. This means that while God has already prepared the way, He still calls upon individuals to do their part 1, 2.
The Pope extended the concept of preparing for the Eucharist beyond the altar to encompass everyday existence 1, 4. He urged believers to experience daily life as an offering and an act of thanksgiving 1, 2. This preparation involves "leaving room" for God by removing burdens, reducing demands, and letting go of unrealistic expectations 1, 2, 4. Pope Leo XIV cautioned against confusing genuine preparation with illusions, noting that illusions distract while preparations guide towards encounter 1, 2, 4.
To "prepare the Passover" in daily life, individuals are encouraged to consider what spaces in their lives need ordering to receive the Lord 1, 4. This can manifest as renouncing demands, ceasing to wait for others to change, taking the first step, listening more, acting less, or trusting in what God has already prepared 1, 2, 4. Every act of willingness, gratuitousness, anticipatory forgiveness, and patiently accepted effort contributes to preparing a dwelling place for God 1, 4. The Pope concluded that accepting this invitation to prepare for communion with God and others leads to discovering guiding signs, encounters, and words, fostering a serene trust and allowing life to truly flourish where love has been prepared 1, 4.
How does preparation relate to divine grace?
Preparation relates to divine grace in that while grace is a free gift from God, human cooperation and disposition are necessary for its reception and efficacy. The Council of Trent, in its Decree on Justification, clarifies this relationship, emphasizing that adults are "disposed" or "prepared" for justification through God's "exciting and assisting grace".
Preparation for grace involves a series of acts that, while initiated and aided by God's grace, are also voluntary human responses:
It is crucial to understand that this preparation does not precede grace in the sense of earning it. Rather, God's grace is always the initiator:
In summary, preparation is the human response to God's divine initiative, made possible and sustained by grace itself. It highlights the synergistic relationship between God's free gift and human freedom, where grace enables and perfects human cooperation.