Before leaving for Rio

At 12:00 noon today, the Holy Father, Pope Francis appeared at the window of his study in the Vatican Apostolic Palace to pray the Angelus with pilgrims and with the faithful who had gathered in Saint Peter's Square.

Address of the Holy Father, Pope Francis

to introduce the Angelus

Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!

This Sunday we continue reading from the tenth chapter of Luke the Evangelist. Today’s words recount the story of Martha and Mary. Who are these two women? Martha and Mary, the sisters of Lazarus, are relatives and faithful disciples of the Lord, who lived in Bethany. Saint Luke describes them this way: Mary, at the feet of Jesus, heard his word, while Martha was busy with many things (cf. Lk 10, 39-40). Both offer hospitality to the Lord in passing, but they do it in different ways. Mary places herself at the feet of Jesus, listening, while Martha immerses herself in the preparation of things, and she is so occupied by her duties that she turns to Jesus and says, Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her to help me (v. 40). Jesus answered by gently scolding her, Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but ... only one thing is needed (v. 41).

What did Jesus mean? What is this thing that we need? First, it is important to understand that this is not the contrast between two attitudes: listening to the word of the Lord, contemplation versus practical service toward others. These are not two opposing attitudes, but, on the contrary, both are two essential aspects for our Christian life, aspects that should never be separated, but lived in profound unity and harmony. But then why does Martha receive the blame, even if it is done with tenderness? Because she considered only that which she was doing to be essential.  She was too self-absorbed and preoccupied by things, by doing. For a Christian, the works of service and charity can never be detached from the main source of everything we do: that is, listening to the Word of the Lord, sitting - like Mary - at the feet of Jesus, must always be the attitude of the disciple. It is for that oversight that Martha is reprimanded.

In our Christian life too, prayer and action are always profoundly united.  A prayer that does not translate into concrete action toward a brother who is poor, sick, in need of help, a brother who is in difficulty, is a sterile and incomplete prayer.  But, in the same way, when even in the service of the Church, we are only concerned with doing, giving greater weight to things, to functions, to structures and forget to focus on Christ, not finding time for dialogue with Him in prayer, we risk serving ourselves and not God, present in our brother in need.  Saint Benedict summed up this style of life in two words which he pointed out to his monastic brothers: ora et labora, pray and work.  From contemplation, from a strong relationship of friendship with the Lord, we find the ability to live by and to share the love of God, his mercy, his tenderness toward others.  Even in our work with brothers in need, our charitable work and works of mercy lead us to the Lord, because they allow us to see Jesus in our brother or sister in need.

Let us ask the Virgin Mary, Mother of listening and of service, to teach us to meditate on the Word of her Son in the depth of our hearts, to pray faithfully, so that we may always be attentive to the concrete needs of our brothers.

After the recitation of the Angelus, the Holy Father continued:

I affectionately greet all the pilgrims present here today: families, parishes, associations, movements and groups. In particular, I greet the faithful of Florence, Foggia and Villa Castelli, and the altar boys from Conselve who are here with their family members. I see a banner down there with the words Buon voyagio! - Have a nice trip. Thank you! Thank you! I ask you to accompany me spiritually in prayer on the trip that I will be beginning tomorrow. As you know, I will travel to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for the 28th World Youth Day. There will be many young people there from all parts of the world, and I think that you could call this Youth Week, yes: Youth Week! The youth will be the heroes this week. All those who are coming to Rio want to hear the voice of Jesus; listen to Jesus: Lord, what should I do with my life and what is the way for me? I do not know if there are young people here today, in the square! Are there any young people? You too, young people who are in square, take the same question to the Lord: Lord Jesus, what should I do with my life and what is the way for me? We entrust these questions to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, so loved and venerated in Brazil: what will the young people there do, and what will you do today. May Our Lady will help us in this new stage of the pilgrimage.

I wish you all a good Sunday!  Enjoy your lunch. Goodbye!