December 17, 2012 - Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday spoke about the certainty we have
in faith that the Lord is present, regardless of how circumstances might appear to
cause mistrust, sadness, and even despair. The Pope said this at a Mass Sunday morning
at St. Patrick’s parish church at Colle Prenestino, on the eastern outskirts of Rome.
The Holy Father, who is Bishop of Rome said the presence of the Lord is by itself
enough to brighten and gladden hearts. He reminded the faithful that it is Jesus,
who brings salvation to humanity: a new relationship with God that triumphs over evil
and death, and that is the true joy, “for this presence of the Lord who comes to enlighten
our path, though this is often overwhelmed at present by the darkness of selfishness.”
The Pope also reminded the parishioners of St. Patrick’s that the Lord always listens
to us, even when we turn away from Him through sin - He never rejects our prayers.
“Although He does not always respond as we might want,” Pope Benedict said, “God nevertheless
responds.” Pope Benedict spoke of God not as distant, but as Emmanuel - God with us
- a God with us in the Holy Eucharist, with us in the living Church. We must be carriers
of this presence of God, and we must respond to His gifts with grateful love. The
Holy Father further explained that one who welcomes the gifts of God in a selfish
way, does not find true joy. Rather, it is the one who takes occasion by the gifts
received from God to love Him with sincere gratitude and to communicate to others
his love, who has a heart full of joy.”