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Pope Benedict XVI- Angelus |
Angelus Message
On Helping Jesus in His Mission
"Priests Become Instruments of Salvation"
H.H. Benedict XVI
July 26, 2009
www.zenit.org
Dear Brothers and Sisters!
A good Sunday to you! We meet here in Les Combes, near the welcoming
house that the Salesians have placed at the Pope's disposition,
where I am ending the period of rest among the beautiful mountains
of the Aosta Valley. I am grateful to God that he has conceded me
the joy of these days marked by true relaxation -- despite the
little accident about which you know well. I would like to take this
occasion to affectionately thank those who eagerly accompanied me
with discretion and with great dedication. I greet Cardinal Poletto
and the bishops present here, especially the Bishop of Aosta,
Monsignor Giuseppe Anfossi, whom I thank for the words that he spoke
to me. I cordially greet the curate of Les Combes, the civil and
military authorities, the police, and all of you, dear friends, as
also those who are joined to us by radio and television.
Today, on this splendid Sunday on which the Lord shows us all the
beauty of his creation, the liturgy provides the beginning of
Chapter 6 of the Gospel of John as the Gospel passage. Here we have
the miracle of the loaves -- when Jesus feeds thousands of persons
with only five loaves and two fish; then the other prodigy of the
Lord walking on the waters of the stormy lake; and finally the
sermon in which he reveals himself as "the bread of life."
Narrating the "sign" of the loaves, the evangelist emphasizes that
Christ, before distributing them, blessed them with a prayer of
thanksgiving (cf. 6:11). The [Greek] verb is "eucharistein" and
points directly to the account of the Last Supper, in which, in
effect, John does not treat the institution of the Eucharist but
rather the washing of the feet. Here the Eucharist is anticipated as
the great sign of the bread of life.
In this Year for Priests, how can we not recall that we priests can
be especially reflected in this Johannine text, identifying
ourselves with the Apostles, where it says: Where can we find bread
for all these people? And reading about that anonymous boy who has
five loaves and two fish, we too spontaneously say: But what is this
for such a multitude? In other words: What am I? How can I, with my
limitations, help Jesus in his mission? And the Lord gives the
answer: Precisely by putting into his "holy and venerable" hands the
little that they are, priests become instruments of salvation for
many, for all!
Another point for reflection comes to us from today's Feast of Sts.
Joachim and Anne, parents of Mary and, therefore, grandparents of
Jesus. This feast makes us think about the topic of education, which
has such an important place in the pastoral work of the Church. In
particular, it invites us to pray for grandparents, who, in the
family, are the depositaries and the witnesses of the fundamental
values of life. The educational task of grandparents is always very
important, and it becomes even more so when, for different reasons,
the parents are not able to ensure an adequate presence to their
children, while they are growing up.
I entrust to the protection of Anne and Joachim all the grandparents
of the world, giving them a special blessing. May the Virgin Mary,
who, according to certain beautiful artistic renderings, learned to
read sacred Scriptures at the knee of her mother, Anne, help
grandparents to always nourish their faith and hope at the font of
the Word of God.
[Translation by Joseph G. Trabbic]
[After the Angelus, the Holy Father greeted the people in several
languages. In English, he said:]
I greet all the English-speaking visitors present today. Thank you
for joining me here in Les Combes to pray the Angelus. I hope that
your holidays may be a time of great joy, spent together as
families, and of deep spiritual renewal, as you rest in the marvel
of God's gift of creation. May the Almighty abundantly bless each of
you and your loved ones.
© Copyright 2009 -- Libreria Editrice Vaticana
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