Tuesday, November 13, 2012

On trusting God - November 11, 2012


Angelus – November 11, 2012 – On Trusting God


 

            This week, in his Sunday Angelus message in Saint Peter’s Square, Pope Benedict XVI addressed those present and spoke about the two widows found in Sunday’s Mass readings, one found in 1 Kings 17:10-16 and the other found in the Gospel, Mark 12:41-44.  First explaining what occurred in the readings, he comments, “Both of these women are desperately poor and precisely in this situation demonstrate a great faith in God”.  Pope Benedict argues that from these two readings and these two women, a “precious teaching about faith” can be found.  He expounds, “It is about the interior attitude of those who base their lives on God, on His Word, and completely entrust themselves to Him”.  In Scripture, widows were often very poor and in need.  However, Pope Benedict urges,

 

Nevertheless, Scripture says that the objective condition of need, in this case the fact of being a widow, is not sufficient: God always asks for our adherence in faith, which is expressed in love of Him and neighbour.  No one is ever so poor that he cannot give something.  And in fact both of our widows today demonstrate their faith through acts of charity…

 

            Pope Benedict also quoted Pope Saint Leo the Great (whose feast day was November 10th), saying, “No act of goodness is without value before God, no act of mercy is without fruit”. 

 
            He concluded his message showing how our Blessed Mother is the perfect example of how one entrusts oneself to God completely, and he asks for her help during this Year as we grow and strengthen our confidence in God and His Word.  During this next week, may we practice and live with full trust and confidence in God and His provident care. 

            While greeting those in the Square, His Holiness acknowledged the beatification of Maria Luisa Prosperi, who was beatified on Saturday in Spoleto, Italy.  She was a religious, a Benedictine abbess, who lived from 1779-1847.  She was also a mystic, “who desired to associate herself with Christ’s Passion in a singular way”. 

            Blessed Maria Luisa Prosperi, pray for us!

  

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