2008-09-29 15:17:11

Pope Benedict recalls Pope John Paul I as teacher of humility


(September 29, 2008) Although Pope John Paul II was Pontiff for only 33 days, he left a great spiritual legacy, said Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday. He said this as he reflected on the readings from Sunday’s liturgy before praying the traditional midday ‘Angelus’ with the crowds gathered in the courtyard of the papal summer residence of Castel Gandolfo, outside Rome. He noted that the Gospel parable proposed by the liturgy "teaches us that humility is essential for welcoming the gift of salvation." The parable from Matthew speaks of two sons who were asked by their father to do some work in his vineyard. One of the two sons said yes, but did not go; the other refused, but then changed his mind and went. The Pontiff added that the reading from the Letter to the Philippians also calls for humility urging us to do nothing out of selfishness or vainglory, but to humbly regard others as superior to you. These Biblical texts, the Pope said, remind him of Pope John Paul I, whose 30th death anniversary occurred on Sunday, Sept. 28. Pope Benedict noted that John Paul I - known as the "smiling Pope" - had as his motto “Humilitas” - "a single word that synthesizes what is essential in Christian life and indicates the indispensable virtue of those who are called to the service of authority in the Church." The Holy Father noted that his successor, who died in 1978, had recommended in one of his four general audiences one virtue so dear to the Lord – that of meekness and humility of heart. "Humility can be considered his spiritual legacy," Pope Benedict added. He also greeted English-speaking pilgrims in theri language: Listen! RealAudioMP3
I offer a warm welcome to the English-speaking visitors gathered for this Angelus prayer. My special greeting goes to the students from Aquinas College in Australia and to the members of the Fatima pilgrimage from the Philippines. In today’s Gospel, the Lord asks us to reflect whether we are obedient to the Father in word alone, or truly committed to following his will in our daily lives. May his words inspire in us a spirit of genuine conversion and an ever more generous commitment to the spread of the Gospel. Upon you and your families I cordially invoke God’s blessings of wisdom, joy and peace!







All the contents on this site are copyrighted ©.