(September 16, 2009) Every week on Wednesdays, the Pope holds a public meeting, called
the general audience, during which pilgrims and tourists who come to Rome have a chance
of seeing and hearing him speak. The Holy Father delivers a spiritual reflection
and greets various groups in their languages, including in English. Pope Benedict
XVI who is currently passing his summer at the papal summer residence of Castel Gandolfo,
jut outside Rome, flew into the Vatican by helicopter Wednesday morning to hold General
Audience in the Vatican’s Paul VI hall. The general audience began with readings
of a scripture passage in various languages. An aide greeted the Pope on behalf of
the English-speaking pilgrims, presenting the various groups to him. Pope Benedict
then delivered a reflection in English. Listen: Dear
Brothers and Sisters, today’s catechesis focuses on the life of Symeon, an Eastern
monk known as the “New Theologian”. He was born in nine hundred and forty nine in
Asia Minor. As a young man, he moved to Constantinople to embark on a career in the
civil service but, during his studies, he was shown a work called The Spiritual Law
by Mark the Monk which completely changed his life. It contained the phrase: “If you
seek spritual healing, be aware of your conscience. Do everything it tells you and
you will find what is useful to you”. From that day on, he made it his way of life
always to listen to his conscience. He became a monk and his life and writings, collected
afterwards by a disciple, reflect Symeon’s deep understanding of the presence and
action of the Holy Spirit in the life of all the baptized. Symeon teaches us that
Christian life is an intimate and personal communion with God. True knowledge of God
comes, not from books, but from an interior purification through conversion of the
heart. For Symeon, union with Christ is not something extraordinary, but the fruit
of the baptism common to all Christians. Inspired by Symeon’s life, let us pay greater
attention to our spiritual life, seeking the guidance we need to grow in the love
of God. I am pleased to welcome all the English-speaking pilgrims here this
morning, including the priests and brothers of the Society of Mary gathered in Rome
for their chapter, and the various schools and university groups present. Upon you
all, I willingly invoke God’s abundant graces.