ANGELUS TODAY
Pope Benedict XVI today reflected on the practical advice given by John the Baptist when his followers asked him what they ought to do to prepare for the coming of the Lord.
It's also 'Bambinelli Sunday' in Italy when families bring the Christ Child figure (the Bambinello, little baby) from the family creche to be blessed by the parish priest, and in Rome, by the Pope.
Particularly well=represented for the blessing of the Bambinelli this year were children from the Centro Oratori Romani, the diocesan center coordinating the various oratories (multi-purpose community centers) found in parishes and schools.
Later, in his English message, the Pope once again expressed his sorrow at the shooting massacre in a Connecticut schoolroom last Friday:
I was deeply saddened by Friday’s senseless violence in Newtown, Connecticut. I assure the families of the victims, especially those who lost a child, of my closeness in prayer. May the God of consolation touch their hearts and ease their pain.
During this Advent Season, let us dedicate ourselves more fervently to prayer and to acts of peace. Upon those affected by this tragedy, and upon each of you, I invoke God’s abundant blessings!
Here is a translation of the Pope's Angelus reflection:
Dear brothers and sisters!
The Gospel for this Sunday of Advent once again presents the figure of John the Baptist, as he speaks to the people who have come to him by the river Jordan to have themselves baptized.
Since John, with forceful words, calls on everyone to prepare themselves for the coming of the Messiah, some of them asked him: "What must we do?" (Lk 3,10.12.14). These dialogs are very interesting and prove to be of great actuality.
The first answer is addressed to the crowd in general. The Baptist says: "Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise" (v 11).
Here we can see a criterion of justice that is inspired by love. Justice demands overcoming the disequilibrium between those who have superfluous things and those who lack necessities. Charity urges us to be attentive to others and to meet his need, instead of finding justifications to defend our own self-interests.
Justice and charity are not contradictory - they are both necessary and complement each other. "Love — caritas — will always prove necessary, even in the most just society... (because) there will always be situations of material need where help in the form of concrete love of neighbour is indispensable" (Enc. Deus caritas est, 28).
Let us look at his second answer which was addressed to some 'publicans', the tax collectors for the Romans. Because of this, they were despised [by their fellow Jews], and also because they often took advantage of their position to rob others. The Baptist does not ask them to find another jog, but only not to demand more than the required amount (cfr v 13).
The prophet, in the name of God, does not ask for exceptional gestures, only for the honest fulfillment of one's duty. The fist step to eternal life is always observance of the commandments - in this case, the seventh, "Thou shall not steal" (cfr Ex 20,15).
The third answer had to do with soldiers, another category endowed with certain powers, and therefore, tempted to abuse them. He tells them: "Do not practice extortion, do not falsely accuse anyone, and be satisfied with your wages" (v 14).
Even in this case, conversion begins with honesty and respect for others: an indication that is good for everyone, especially for those with greater responsibilities.
Considering these exchanges together, we are struck by the great concreteness of John's words: Since God will judge us according to our actions, it is there in our behavior, that we must show we are following his will.
That is precisely why the Baptist's injunctions are always actual. Even in our very complex world, thins would go so much better if everyone obeyed these rules of conduct.
Let us pray to the Lord, through the intercession of the Most Blessed Mary, so he may help us prepare for Christmas by bearinG good fruits of conversion (cfr Lk 3,8).
After the prayers, he said:
The European Encounter for Young People organized by the Community of Taize will be held in Rome from December 28 to January 2. I thank the families who, following the Roman tradition of hospitality, have made themselves available to be hosts to this young people.
But because, thank God, the requests for participation have been greater than expected, I renew the appeal, already made in the parishes, so that, in all simplicity, other families may also have this beautiful experience of Christian friendship.
[Modificato da TERESA BENEDETTA 17/12/2012 02:59]