(Vatican Radio) In his first Sunday Angelus since the beginning of the Year of Faith,
Pope Benedict welcoming the faithful to St Peter’s Square focused his attention on
one of the most famous Gospel stories. The parable is of a rich man who asks Jesus
how he can enter the kingdom of God and who receives the notable reply,
"It
's easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter
the kingdom of God."
The Holy Father explained to those gathered that Jesus
teaches that it is very difficult for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God, but
not impossible, in fact, the Pope said, God can win the heart of a person who possesses
great wealth and can push them to work for solidarity and sharing with those in need.
Pope
Benedict also underlined the fact that wealth does not bring true happiness.
The
man in the Gospel, continued the Holy Father is someone who has observed God’s commandments
but like many people thinks that eternal life can somehow be bought.
Jesus,
notes Pope Benedict, is underlining the fact that the riches of heaven far out way
those of this world, which is why he asks the man in the parable to give his wealth
to the poor.
The Pope concluded his address by saying that this story teaches
us that the rich should not neglect their salvation. He also remarked on the number
of Saints, such as St. Francis, St. Elizabeth of Hungary and St. Charles Borromeo
who had given up their wealth to follow God.
Following the recitation of the
Marian prayer the Holy Father, drew the attention of those present in St Peter’s Square,
back to the Year of Faith.
“During this Year of Faith may we, like the man
in today’s Gospel, have the courage to ask the Lord what more can we do, especially
for the poor, the lonely, the sick and the suffering, so as to be witnesses and heirs
to the eternal life God promises.”
He also recalled those who had died for
the Faith such as Federico Bachstein and thirteen Brothers of the Order of Friars
Minor who were beatified this weekend.
He said they were killed in 1611 because
of their faith and this reminds us of those people who are willing to suffer for Christ.Listen
to Lydia O'Kane's report