Pope close to refugees, reflects on seed that grows

(June 18, 2012) Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday expressed his closeness with all who are forced to flee their homeland and hoped that "their rights are respected and that they may soon be reunited with loved ones." The Pope was speaking after reciting his weekly midday ‘Angelus’ Marian prayer with thousands of pilgrims and tourists gathered in Rome’s St’ Peter’s Square. The Pope was referring to the annual United Nation-sponsored World Refugee Day which will be marked on Wednesday, June 20. The annual observance, the Pope said, "wants to attract international attention to the conditions of many people, especially families, forced to flee their lands, because they are threatened by armed conflicts and serious forms of violence. “To these brothers and sisters who are so troubled,” he said, “I assure the prayer and the constant concern of the Holy See, while I hope that their rights are respected and that they may soon be reunited with loved ones.”
Before the “Angelus’ the Pope shared a reflection on Sunday’s Gospel about two parables of the seed that grows on its own and that of the mustard seed. “Through images from the world of agriculture, the Lord presents the mystery of the Word and the Kingdom of God, and indicate the reasons for our hope and our commitment," he said. “The present time is the time of sowing, and the growth of the seed is ensured by the Lord,” he said. “Every Christian, then, knows we must do all we can, but this knowledge that the final result depends on God, will sustain us in our daily labours, especially in difficult situations,” he added. With regard to tiny the mustard seed that grows to become "the largest of all garden plants" Pope Benedict said that the weakness is the strength of the seed, its breaking is its power. So is the kingdom of God a humanly small reality, consisting of the poor in heart, those who are not confident in their own strength, but in the love of God, who are not important to eyes of the world, yet right through them breaks the power of Christ and transforms what is apparently insignificant.” “Our little strength, seemingly helpless before the problems of the world if placed in that of God is not afraid of obstacles, it is certain of the victory of the Lord. It is the miracle of God's love that makes every seed of goodness spread across the world to sprout and grow. And the experience of this miracle of love makes us optimistic, despite the difficulties, the suffering and evil that we encounter. The seed sprouts and grows, so grows the love of God. "