"God summons every man to life and bestows on him a talent, while entrusting him with
a mission", which is charity. Those were Pope Benedict XVI’s words before the Angelus
in St Peter’s Square. The Pope reminded those gathered on Sunday that "Charity is
the fundamental good that no one can fail to make use of and without which all the
other gifts are in vain” before adding that only “by practicing charity, can we also
take part in the joy of our Lord.”
During his address the Holy Father also
underlined the fact that because our earthly existence is marked by impermanence our
life should be lived as a “pilgrimage” and we should keep our eyes fixed on the ultimate
goal, the God who created us.
Recalling Sunday’s Gospel Pope Benedict also
continued on the theme of charity noting that it was our mission to use our talents
for the good of others.
“In today’s Gospel, the parable of the talents, Jesus
invites us to reflect with gratitude on the gifts we have received and to use them
wisely for the growth of God’s Kingdom. May his words summon us to an ever deeper
conversion of mind and heart, and a more effective solidarity in the service of all
our brothers and sisters. “
After reciting the Marian prayer the Holy
Father had a number of special greetings in a number of languages.
In German,
the Pope referred to Sunday’s beatification of the priest and martyr Carl Lampert
in Dornbirn, who was killed as he put it "in the dark time of National Socialism."
Speaking
in Italian the Pope Benedict also noted it was World Diabetes Day and prayed for those
stricken by this illness.
Giving greetings in Polish the Holy Father recalled
that on this November 13th the church in Poland was remembering the Day of Solidarity
for the persecuted church which this year is asking for prayers in particular for
the church in Sudan.
Drawing his address to a conclusion the Pope speaking
in French invited the faithful to pray for his forthcoming visit to Benin and urged
solidarity with those who work for peace, justice and reconciliation on continent
of Africa. Listen to Lydia O'Kane's report.