ANGELUS OF 8/17/08
Castel Gandolfo
Here is a translation of the Holy Father's words at the Angelus today.
Dear brothers and sisters,
On today's 20th Sunday in ordinary time, the liturgy proposes for our reflection the words of the prophet Isaiah: "And the foreigners who join themselves to the LORD, ministering to him... I will bring to my holy mountain and make joyful in my house of prayer... For my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples" (Is 56, 6-7).
The Apostle Paul also refers to the universality of salvation in the second reading, as does the Gospel which tells the episode of teh Canaanite woman - considered alien by the Jews - who was rewarded by Jesus for her great faith.
The Word of God thus offers us the opportunity reflect on the universality of the mission of the Church, which is constituted of peoples from every race and culture.
Precisely from this comes the great responsibility of the ecclesial community which is called on to be a house hospitable to everyone, both sign and instrument of communion for the entire human family.
How important it is, especially in our time, that every Christian community should always deepen its awareness of this in order to help civilian society and overcome every possible temptation to racism, intolerance and exclusion, and to organize itself with choices that are respectful of every human being!
One of the great conquests of humanity is in fact overcoming racism. Unfortunately, however, new manifestations of it are taking place in different nations, often linked to social and problems which nonetheless can never justify racial scorn and discrimination.
Let us pray so that respect for every person may grow everywhere, along with responsible awareness that only with the reciprocal acceptance of everyone is it possible to construct a world of authentic justice and true peace.
I wish today to propose another prayer intention, given the news, especially during this period, of many serious road accidents. We must not habituate ourselves to this sad reality!
Human life is too precious and it is too unworthy for man to die or find himself disabled for reasons that are, for the most part, avoidable.
A greater sense of responsibility is definitely needed. Above all, on the part of car drivers, because accidents are often due to overspeeding and imprudent driving behavior.
To drive a vehicle on public roads requires a moral and a civic sense. To promote the latter, constant efforts of prevention, vigilance and discipline are needed on the part of the authorities.
As a Church, we feel directly challenged on the ethical plane. Christians should examine their consciences about the proper conduct for drivers. Communities should educate everyone to consider driving an area in which life must be defended and in which to concretely exercise love for one's neighbor.
Let us entrust these social problems that I have raised to the maternal intercession of Mary, whom we shall now invoke together in reciting the Angelus.
After the Angelus, the Holy Father made this appeal:
I continue to follow with attention and concern the situation in Georgia, and I feel particularly close to the victims of the conflict.
While I raise a special prayer for the deceased and express sincere condolences to those who mourn them, I appeal so that the grave conditions of refugees, especially women and children, who now lack the very means to survive, may be alleviated with generosity.
I ask for teh opening, without further delay, of humanitarian corridors between South Ossetia and the rest of Georgia, so that the dead who have been abandoned may receive proper burial, that the wounded may be adequately cared for, and that those who wish to be reunited with their dear ones may be allowed to do so.
Moreover, the ethnic minorities involved in the conflict must be guaranteed safety and those fundamental rights that can never be trampled on.
Finally, I hope that the present ceasefire, reached with the contribution of the European Union, may be consolidated and turn into a stable peace, as I invite the international community to continue offering its support to reach a lasting solution through dialog and mutual goodwill.
He then expressed his sorrow at the sudden death of Bishop Wilhelm Egger of Bolzano-Bressanone:
I have learned with profound emotion of the sudden death of His Excellency Mons. Wilhelm Emil Egger, Bishop of Bolzano-Bressanone. I left him a few days ago in apparent good health. Nothing indicated such a rapid departure.
I join in condolence with his family and the entire diocese where he was valued and admired for his commitment and dedication. In raising to the Lord a fervent prayer of intercession for his good and faithful servant, I send a special Apostolic Blessing of comfort to his brother, who is a Capuchin monk, to his other relatives, and all the priests, religious and lay faithful of the diocese of Bolzano-Bressanone.
His greeting to English-speaking pilgrims:
I am happy to greet all the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors present for this Sunday Angelus prayer.
In today’s Gospel Jesus invites us, after the example of the Canaanite woman, to profess our faith and our complete trust in God. He alone, through the power of his Word and his Holy Spirit, can touch our hearts and save us.
May your stay in Castel Gandolfo and Rome draw you nearer to Christ, and may God bless you all!
[Modificato da TERESA BENEDETTA 17/08/2008 18:00]