At noon today in Rome (6:00am EST), the Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time, the Holy Father, Pope Francis appeared at the window of his study in the Vatican Apostolic Palace to recite the Angelus with the faithful and with pilgrims gathered in Saint Peter's Square.
In attendance today, among others, were children who are part of Catholic Action in the Diocese of Rome who were concluding today, with their annual Caravan of Peace, the month of January which they traditionally dedicate to the theme of peace. At the conclusion of the recitation of the Angelus, two young people who are from different Roman parishes, who had been invited to the pontifical apartments, read a message in the name of Catholic Action Rome.
Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!
The gospel passage for this Sunday (cf Mk 1:21-28) is part of a longer narrative which is known as the day in Capermaum. The focus of today's story is an event that we call exorcism, through which Jesus is presented as a prophet powerful in word and in deed.
He enters into the synagogue in Capernaum on a Saturday and begins to teach; the people are amazed by his words, because they are not ordinary words, not the words that they normally are used to hearing. In fact, the scribes teach but without having their own authority, but Jesus teaches with authority. Instead of the scribes, Jesus teaches as one who has authority, revealing himself as the Messenger sent from God, and not as a simple man who must base his teaching only on previous traditions. Jesus has full authority. His doctrine is new and the gospel says that the people commented: This is a new teaching, given with authority (Mk1:27).
At the same time, Jesus shows himself to be powerful in his works. In the synagogue in Capernaum, there is a man who is possessed by an unclean spirit. This spirit shows itself and begins to cry out: What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to ruin us? I know who you are: the holy one of God! (Mk 1:24) The devil tells the truth: Jesus has come to ruin the devil, to ruin the demon, to overpower him. This unclean spirit knows Jesus' power and also proclaims his holiness. Jesus scolds him, saying to him: Be quiet! Come out of him (Mk 1:25). These few words spoken by Jesus are enough to be victorious over Satan, the one who comes out of the man, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, the gospel says (Mk 1:26).
This fact leaves its impression on many of those who are present; they are all seized by fear and ask: Who is this man? He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him! (Mk 1:27). Jesus power confirms the authority of his teaching. He does not merely speak words, he also acts. This is how he manifests God's plan - in words and through the power of his works. In fact, in the gospel, we see that Jesus, in his earthly mission, reveals God's love through his preaching and through innumerable gestures of attention and care for the sick, those in need, children and even sinners.
Jesus is our Teacher, he is strong in word and in deed. Jesus communicates to us all the light that illuminates the streets of our existence, the paths that are sometimes dark; he also communicates the necessary strength so that we can overcome difficulties, trials and temptations. Let us think about how great of a grace it is that we have known a God who is so powerful, so good! A teacher and a friend, who points out the path that we should walk and takes care of us, especially when we are in need.
May the Virgin Mary, a woman of listening, helps us to be silent inside and around us, to listen amidst the din of the messages the world offers, to the the most authoritative word there is: the word of her Son Jesus, who proclaims the sense of our existence and frees us from every slavery, even slavery to the Evil One.
Following the recitation of the Angelus, the Holy Father continued:
Dear brothers and sisters,
Yesterday we received sad news from Afghanistan where a terrible terrorist attack took place in the capital city of Kabul, leaving more than one hundred people dead and many others wounded. A few days ago, another serious attack, also in Kabul, incited terror and death in a large hotel. How long will the Afghan people have to endure such inhuman violence? Let us pray in silence for all the victims and for their families; and let us pray for those, in that country, who continue to work toward establishing peace.
Today, we celebrate the World Day of Leprosy. Unfortunately, this illness still affects the most disadvantaged and poor above all else. To these brothers and sisters, we assure our closeness and solidarity; and let us pray also for those who are helping them and those who are working toward their reintegration into society.
I greet the families, the parishes, the associations and all those who have come from Italy and from other parts of the world. In particular, I greet the students from Badajoz (Spain), the faithful from Ljubljana (Slovenia) and those from Venice and from Veglie.
With great affection, I greet the young men and women of Catholic Action within the Diocese of Rome! I hope that even as you make noise today, you know how to do good things, no? Dear young people, once more this year, accompanied by the Archbishop Vicar, your parents and teachers and by your priests, you have come in great numbers at the conclusion of your Caravan of Peace. I thank you for this initiative. Thank you, thank you very much! Never grow tired of being instruments of peace and joy among your peers! Now, let us listen to the message which your friends, standing here beside me, will read.
The Holy Father moved away from the window to allow the two young people to read their message. When they were finished, he continued:
Thank you, thank you. Stay here. Greet the crowds, say hello, say hello, don't be afraid.
And now, together with our prayers for peace, every one of us in our hearts, we can pray for peace. Together with these prayers, we will let the balloons float into the sky!
Did you see those balloons? When we pray badly, when we lead a life that is not the life that Jesus wants us to live, our prayers don't reach heaven. For this reason, they need some help to keep rising up toward heaven. When you feel that your prayers are not rising, ask someone for help.
I wish you all a good Sunday. Please don't forget to pray for me. Enjoy your lunch and good bye!
In attendance today, among others, were children who are part of Catholic Action in the Diocese of Rome who were concluding today, with their annual Caravan of Peace, the month of January which they traditionally dedicate to the theme of peace. At the conclusion of the recitation of the Angelus, two young people who are from different Roman parishes, who had been invited to the pontifical apartments, read a message in the name of Catholic Action Rome.
Greetings of the Holy Father, Pope Francis
prior to the recitation of the Angelus
Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!
The gospel passage for this Sunday (cf Mk 1:21-28) is part of a longer narrative which is known as the day in Capermaum. The focus of today's story is an event that we call exorcism, through which Jesus is presented as a prophet powerful in word and in deed.
He enters into the synagogue in Capernaum on a Saturday and begins to teach; the people are amazed by his words, because they are not ordinary words, not the words that they normally are used to hearing. In fact, the scribes teach but without having their own authority, but Jesus teaches with authority. Instead of the scribes, Jesus teaches as one who has authority, revealing himself as the Messenger sent from God, and not as a simple man who must base his teaching only on previous traditions. Jesus has full authority. His doctrine is new and the gospel says that the people commented: This is a new teaching, given with authority (Mk1:27).
At the same time, Jesus shows himself to be powerful in his works. In the synagogue in Capernaum, there is a man who is possessed by an unclean spirit. This spirit shows itself and begins to cry out: What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to ruin us? I know who you are: the holy one of God! (Mk 1:24) The devil tells the truth: Jesus has come to ruin the devil, to ruin the demon, to overpower him. This unclean spirit knows Jesus' power and also proclaims his holiness. Jesus scolds him, saying to him: Be quiet! Come out of him (Mk 1:25). These few words spoken by Jesus are enough to be victorious over Satan, the one who comes out of the man, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, the gospel says (Mk 1:26).
This fact leaves its impression on many of those who are present; they are all seized by fear and ask: Who is this man? He commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him! (Mk 1:27). Jesus power confirms the authority of his teaching. He does not merely speak words, he also acts. This is how he manifests God's plan - in words and through the power of his works. In fact, in the gospel, we see that Jesus, in his earthly mission, reveals God's love through his preaching and through innumerable gestures of attention and care for the sick, those in need, children and even sinners.
Jesus is our Teacher, he is strong in word and in deed. Jesus communicates to us all the light that illuminates the streets of our existence, the paths that are sometimes dark; he also communicates the necessary strength so that we can overcome difficulties, trials and temptations. Let us think about how great of a grace it is that we have known a God who is so powerful, so good! A teacher and a friend, who points out the path that we should walk and takes care of us, especially when we are in need.
May the Virgin Mary, a woman of listening, helps us to be silent inside and around us, to listen amidst the din of the messages the world offers, to the the most authoritative word there is: the word of her Son Jesus, who proclaims the sense of our existence and frees us from every slavery, even slavery to the Evil One.
Following the recitation of the Angelus, the Holy Father continued:
Dear brothers and sisters,
Yesterday we received sad news from Afghanistan where a terrible terrorist attack took place in the capital city of Kabul, leaving more than one hundred people dead and many others wounded. A few days ago, another serious attack, also in Kabul, incited terror and death in a large hotel. How long will the Afghan people have to endure such inhuman violence? Let us pray in silence for all the victims and for their families; and let us pray for those, in that country, who continue to work toward establishing peace.
Today, we celebrate the World Day of Leprosy. Unfortunately, this illness still affects the most disadvantaged and poor above all else. To these brothers and sisters, we assure our closeness and solidarity; and let us pray also for those who are helping them and those who are working toward their reintegration into society.
I greet the families, the parishes, the associations and all those who have come from Italy and from other parts of the world. In particular, I greet the students from Badajoz (Spain), the faithful from Ljubljana (Slovenia) and those from Venice and from Veglie.
With great affection, I greet the young men and women of Catholic Action within the Diocese of Rome! I hope that even as you make noise today, you know how to do good things, no? Dear young people, once more this year, accompanied by the Archbishop Vicar, your parents and teachers and by your priests, you have come in great numbers at the conclusion of your Caravan of Peace. I thank you for this initiative. Thank you, thank you very much! Never grow tired of being instruments of peace and joy among your peers! Now, let us listen to the message which your friends, standing here beside me, will read.
The Holy Father moved away from the window to allow the two young people to read their message. When they were finished, he continued:
Thank you, thank you. Stay here. Greet the crowds, say hello, say hello, don't be afraid.
And now, together with our prayers for peace, every one of us in our hearts, we can pray for peace. Together with these prayers, we will let the balloons float into the sky!
Did you see those balloons? When we pray badly, when we lead a life that is not the life that Jesus wants us to live, our prayers don't reach heaven. For this reason, they need some help to keep rising up toward heaven. When you feel that your prayers are not rising, ask someone for help.
I wish you all a good Sunday. Please don't forget to pray for me. Enjoy your lunch and good bye!
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