Pope says mankind’s suffering finds answer in love of God
(July 04, 2011) The suffering humanity with its situations of injustice, poverty
and suffering has its true answer in the love of God, said Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday.
Addressing a large crowd in St. Peter’s Square before praying with them his weekly
midday ‘Angelus’, the Pope reflected on Sunday’s Gospel reading on Christ’s loving
invitation, 'Come to me, all you who labour and are burdened, and I will give you
rest….” The Pope said that Christ’s compassionate gaze on the suffering crowd seems
to extend to our world today, with so many people oppressed by difficult conditions
of life, but also deprived of valid points of reference to find a meaning and aim
to their existence. "Many of the weak,” he said, “are found in the poorest countries,
tested by poverty; and even in the richest countries there are so many dissatisfied
men and women, in fact sick with depression.” He remembered the numerous dispersed
and refugees, and all those who emigrate putting their own life at risk. The Holy
Father said that Christ promises "rest" to all, but only on condition that they take
his yoke which "is the law of love, the commandment he left to his disciples." “The
true remedy for the wounds of humanity, whether they are material, such as hunger
and injustice, or psychological and moral, caused by a false sense of well being,”
the Pope said, “is a rule of life based on fraternal love, which has its source in
the love of God.” The Pope said, "It is therefore necessary to abandon the path
of arrogance and violence that is used to procure positions of greater power, so as
to ensure success at any cost." He urged all to abandon an aggressive lifestyle
towards the environment. "But above all in human, interpersonal and social relations,
the rule of respect and of nonviolence, that is, the force of truth against any abuse
is what can ensure a future worthy of man," the Holy Father added. After praying
the ‘Angelus’, the Pope offered an advice on how to spend the vacation. He told the
faithful that as they get ready packing to leave a space in their suitcase for the
Gospel. Speaking in French, he explained that vacation is “not about leaving for
the sake of leaving and resting, but rather it's about living our relationships with
our loved ones in a new way with God." Speaking in English, the Pope wishes that
holiday makers truly find refreshment for body and spirit and an opportunity to rest
in the Lord.