(12 Jul 10 – RV) On Sunday Pope Benedict XVI celebrated his namesake, St Benedict
of Nursia, as the “great patron” of his pontificate, saying the founder of Western
monasticism and renewer of Western civilization was in his person the very image of
incarnate teaching, who in no way could every teach differently from how he lived.
July
11th is the day on which the Church marks the great saint’s liturgical
memory.
The Holy Father made his remarks at the traditional Angelus prayer
with the faithful gathered in the courtyard of the Apostolic Palace at Castel Gandolfo,
where the Pope is spending the Summer months.
The Gospel reading this Sunday
was the parable of the good Samaritan, and Pope Benedict remarked on the passage,
saying the example of the Samaritan must inspire us to transform our thinking according
to the logic of Christ, which is the logic of love: God is love, and to give Him worship
means to serve one’s brethren with generous and sincere love.
“The programme
of the Christian,” said Pope Benedict, is “a heart that sees” where there is need
of love, and acts accordingly.
After the prayer of Marian devotion, the Holy
Father greeted pilgrims in many languages, including English…
I am happy to
greet all the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors present for this Angelus prayer.
Today’s Liturgy reminds us that to be Christians means to be faithful to the words
and example of Jesus, especially by living a life of love of God and neighbour. May
the Lord give us grace and courage so that we may always respond generously, as good
Samaritans, to the needs of all who suffer, near and far. I wish you all a pleasant
stay in Castel Gandolfo and Rome and a blessed Sunday!