Pope urges Christians to trust in God; recalls Chinese New Year, World Day of the Sick

February 11, 2013 - Human weakness and difficulties should not discourage the Christian from announcing the Gospel, but must trust in the Lord who in his mercy transforms and renews everything. Pope Benedict made the point on Sunday, while addressing a large crowd in St. Peter’s Square before reciting his weekly midday ‘Angelus’ prayer with them. Speaking from his studio window overlooking the square below, the Pope said "We must throw the nets with faith; the Lord will do the rest." He was commenting on Sunday’s Gospel episode of Peter’s hauling a miraculous catch of fish in Lake Genezareth acting on Jesus’ words. The passage speaks about Jesus calling his disciples to be fishers of men. It "embodies God's calling, which is not about the quality of the elect, but of their faith, like that of Simon who said 'at your command I will lower the nets,' an image that encapsulates the Church's mission." The Pope said the episode speaks about the vocation to the priesthood and religious life, whose author is God, to which man only responds. Human weakness should not be afraid if God calls. We must have confidence in his strength, which acts on our poverty. We must always rely more on the power of his mercy, which transforms and renews."
After the ‘Angelus’ prayer, the Pope recalled two currents events – the Chinese Lunar New Year on Sunday, and the Catholic Church’s World Day of the Sick on Monday. "Today," he said, "various peoples in the Far East celebrate the Lunar New Year. Peace, harmony and giving thanks to Heaven are universal values celebrated on this happy occasion. Everyone wants them in order to build their own family, society and nation. He wished the Chinese people that their aspiration for a happy and prosperous life be fulfilled. “A special greeting goes to the Catholics of these countries, that they may be guided by Christ's wisdom in this Year of Faith," the Pope said.
The Holy Father also recalled the liturgical feast of Our Lady of Lourdes on Feb. 11, when the Church marks the annual World Day of the Sick. He noted that it will be marked with a solemn celebration at the Marian shrine of Altötting, Bavaria, in his native Germany. “With my prayer and affection, I am close to all those who are ill and I spiritually join all those who will gather at this shrine, which is particularly dear to me," the Pope said.