(December 07, 2011) Every week on Wednesday, the Pope holds a public meeting, called
the general audience, during which pilgrims and tourists who come to Rome have a chance
of seeing him and hearing him speak in several languages. The general audience of
Dec. 7th was held indoors in the Paul VI audience hall in the Vatican. It began with
a scripture reading from the Gospel of Matthew in several languages. An aide greeted
the Pope on behalf of the English speaking pilgrims introducing the various groups
to him. Pope Benedict then delivered a discourse in English:
Listen: Dear
Brothers and Sisters,In our continuing catechesis on Christian prayer, we are
considering the teaching and example given us by Jesus himself. In the “cry of exultation”
recorded for us by the evangelists Matthew and Luke, Jesus gives thanks to the Father
because he has willed to reveal the mystery of salvation not to the wise and learned,
but to the “little ones” (cf. Mt 11:25-30; Lk 10:21-22). This magnificent prayer
has its source in Jesus’ profound communion with the Father in the Holy Spirit; as
the eternal Son, Jesus alone “knows” the Father and rejoices in complete openness
to his will. Indeed, “no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the
Son chooses to reveal him” (Lk 10:22). In this prayer, then, the Lord expresses his
desire to share his knowledge of the Father with the “little ones”, the pure of heart
and those open to the divine will. In Saint Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus’ cry of exultation
is followed by his words: “Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will
give you rest … for my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (11:28). Jesus is the
source and model of our prayer; through him, in the Holy Spirit, we can turn with
trust to God our Father, confident that, in doing his will, we shall find true freedom
and peace. I offer a warm welcome to the Missionaries of Charity and their
families. Upon all the English-speaking visitor present, including the various pilgrimage
groups from the United States, I cordially invoke God’s blessings of joy and peace!