Pope reflects on missionary role of peace of Christians

(July 9, 2007) According to Pope Benedict XVI, the missionary role is common to all baptized who are called everywhere to be bearers of the message of peace. The Pope made the observation on Sunday to thousands who had gathered in St. Peter's Square on Sunday to prayer the midday 'Angelus' with him. Before reciting the "Angelus", the Pope reflected on Sunday's Gospel, in which Jesus sends out 72 disciples in pairs, the Pontiff commented on the meaning of the missionary mandate for each believer. "Jesus notes that they will be 'like lambs among wolves;" but "despite everything they must be peaceful and in every situation bring a message of peace." The Pontiff added that "They will not take clothes or money with them,” explaining that they will live by what Divine Providence will offer them. They will care for the sick, as a sign of God's mercy; where they are rejected they will leave, limiting themselves to warning those who reject them that they are responsible for rejecting the kingdom of God." Pope Benedict expressed his desire that "this Gospel reawaken in all the baptized the awareness of being missionaries of Christ, called to prepare the way for him with words and with the testimony of their lives." After praying the Angelus, Pope Benedict greeted the pilgrims in various languages. Listen to what he said in English on Sunday's Gospel: