Pope receives Rome's parish priests
Pope Benedict XVI welcomed the pastors of Rome’s parishes to the Apostolic Palace
this Thursday for an appointment that has become a Lenten tradition: an annual meeting
of the Bishop of Rome with his parish priests for lectio divina – the ancient practice
of prayerful reading and commentary on Sacred Scripture.Thursday’s lectio focused on the 2nd half of the 20th chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, in which St. Paul the Apostle speaks to the presbyters of Ephesus, before taking ship for Jerusalem – a speech that the Holy Father noted in his commentary was included by the author of Acts, St. Luke the Evangelist, as Paul’s testament, and as such, intended not only for the Ephesian clergy, but for priests of every age.
The Holy Father’s commentary on the scripture passage sought to set in relief the model of the priesthood that St. Paul articulated, beginning with the need for the virtue of humility, and noting also the need for true conversion to Christ, for fidelity to the mission of Christ’s gospel even unto death, and the absolute need for priests to keep ceaseless, prayerful vigil over themselves and over all Christ’s faithful.
The Holy Father also encouraged the priests to recognize that, although the Church is and will be under attack, we have reason to be cheerful, confident in God’s final victory.
Listen to Chris Altieri's report:
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