At noon today in Rome (6:00am EDT), the Holy Father 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.
Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!
Today's Gospel passage (cf Mk 10: 35-45) describes Jesus who, once again and with great patience, tries to correct his disciples by converting them from the mentality of the world to that of God. The opportunity is given to him by the brothers James and John, two of the very first that Jesus met and called to follow him. By now they have come a long way with him and belong to the group of the twelve Apostles. Therefore, while they are on their way to Jerusalem, where the disciples are anxiously hoping that Jesus, on the occasion of Passover, will finally establish the Kingdom of God, the two brothers become courageous. They approach and address their request to the Master: Grant us to sit, in your glory, one on your right hand and one on your left (Mk 10:37).
Jesus knows that James and John are motivated by great enthusiasm for him and for the cause of the Kingdom, but he also knows that their expectations and their zeal are polluted, by the spirit of the world. Therefore he answers: You do not know what you are asking (Mk 10:38). And while they speak of thrones of glory on which to sit next to Christ the King, He speaks of a cup to drink, of a baptism to be received, that is, of his passion and death. James and John, always aiming for a hoped-for privilege, say by impulse: yes, we can! But, even here, they do not really realize what they are saying. Jesus declares that they will drink his cup and they will receive his baptism. That is to say that they too, like the other Apostles, will participate in his cross, when their time comes. However Jesus concludes: to sit on my right or on my left is not for me to grant it; it is for those for whom it was prepared (Mk 10:40) ... as if to say: now follow me and learn the way of love at a loss, and the heavenly Father will think about it. The way of love is always at a loss, because to love means to leave aside selfishness, self-centred focus, and choosing rather to serve others.
Jesus then realizes that the other ten Apostles are angry with James and John, thus proving that they too have the same worldly mentality. And this offers him the inspiration for a lesson that applies to Christians of all times, even for us. He says: You know that those who are considered the rulers of the nations dominate over them and their leaders oppress them. But it is not so among you; but whoever wants to be great among you will be your servant, and whoever wants to be the first among you will be a slave to all (Mk 10:42-44). This is a rule for all Christians. The message of the Master is clear: while the great and the powerful of the Earth build themselves thrones for their own power, God chooses an awkward throne - the cross - from which he reigns, from which he gives life: The Son of Man - says Jesus - did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many (Mk 10:45).
The path of service is the most effective antidote against the disease of the search for the places of honour; it is medicine for climbers, this search for positions of honour, which infects so many human contexts and does not spare even Christians - the people of God - even the ecclesiastical hierarchy. Therefore, as disciples of Christ, we welcome this Gospel as a call to conversion, to courageously and generously bear witness to a Church that bows at the feet of the lowly, to serve them with love and simplicity. May the Virgin Mary, who fully and humbly adhered to the will of God, help us to joyfully follow Jesus on the path of service, the high road that leads to Heaven.
Following the recitation of the Angelus, the Holy Father continued:
Dear brothers and sisters,
Yesterday, in Malaga (Spain), the Jesuit priest Tiburzio Arnáiz Muñoz, founder of the Missionaries of Rural Doctrines, was beatified. We thank the Lord for the testimony of this zealous minister of reconciliation and tireless proclaimer of the Gospel, especially among the humble and the forgotten. His example impels us to be agents of mercy and courageous missionaries in every environment; his intercession supports our journey. Everyone, let us applaud Blessed Tiburti!
Today we celebrate World Mission Sunday, focusing on the theme Together with the young we bring the Gospel to all. Together with the young: this is the way! And it is true that, thanks to God, we are currently experiencing the Synod that is dedicated to them: listening to them and involving them, we are discover many testimonies of young people who have found the meaning and joy of life in Jesus. And in many cases, they met him thanks to other young people, who were already surrounding themselves with the company of brothers and sisters who are part of the Church. We pray that the new generations will not miss out on the proclamation of the faith and the call to collaborate in the mission of the Church. I think of many Christians, men and women, lay people, consecrated persons, priests, bishops, who have spent their lives and who are still living far from their homelands, yet they are proclaiming the Gospel. We extend to them our love, our gratitude and our prayer.
Let us pray a Hail Mary for them.
Hail Mary ...
And now I greet all of you, pilgrims from Italy and from various countries. In particular, those from the diocese of Płock and of the Saint John Paul II School in Kartuzy (Poland); those from Braço do Norte (Brazil), Santa Fe (New Mexico) and from the Saint Chaumond Lyceum in Poitiers (France). And a group of young people from Buenos Aires and Cordoba (Argentina). I greet the Italian Secular Trinitarian Order and the boys from the Village of the simple in San Cataldo (Sicily). And also the newly-confirmed teenagers from Galzignano who I see there.
I address a special thought to the group from Caritas Internationalis, led by your President, Cardinal Luís Antonio Tagle, and some Bishops and people from various countries of the world. You have made a short pilgrimage to Rome, to express your desire to walk together, constantly learning to know each other better. I encourage this initiative of sharing the journey, which is promoted in many cities and which can transform our relationships with migrants. Many thanks to Caritas!
And I wish you all a good Sunday. Please, don't forget to pray for me. Enjoy your lunch and good bye.
(Original text in Italian)
Greetings of the Holy Father, Pope Francis
prior to the recitation of the Angelus
Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!
Today's Gospel passage (cf Mk 10: 35-45) describes Jesus who, once again and with great patience, tries to correct his disciples by converting them from the mentality of the world to that of God. The opportunity is given to him by the brothers James and John, two of the very first that Jesus met and called to follow him. By now they have come a long way with him and belong to the group of the twelve Apostles. Therefore, while they are on their way to Jerusalem, where the disciples are anxiously hoping that Jesus, on the occasion of Passover, will finally establish the Kingdom of God, the two brothers become courageous. They approach and address their request to the Master: Grant us to sit, in your glory, one on your right hand and one on your left (Mk 10:37).
Jesus knows that James and John are motivated by great enthusiasm for him and for the cause of the Kingdom, but he also knows that their expectations and their zeal are polluted, by the spirit of the world. Therefore he answers: You do not know what you are asking (Mk 10:38). And while they speak of thrones of glory on which to sit next to Christ the King, He speaks of a cup to drink, of a baptism to be received, that is, of his passion and death. James and John, always aiming for a hoped-for privilege, say by impulse: yes, we can! But, even here, they do not really realize what they are saying. Jesus declares that they will drink his cup and they will receive his baptism. That is to say that they too, like the other Apostles, will participate in his cross, when their time comes. However Jesus concludes: to sit on my right or on my left is not for me to grant it; it is for those for whom it was prepared (Mk 10:40) ... as if to say: now follow me and learn the way of love at a loss, and the heavenly Father will think about it. The way of love is always at a loss, because to love means to leave aside selfishness, self-centred focus, and choosing rather to serve others.
Jesus then realizes that the other ten Apostles are angry with James and John, thus proving that they too have the same worldly mentality. And this offers him the inspiration for a lesson that applies to Christians of all times, even for us. He says: You know that those who are considered the rulers of the nations dominate over them and their leaders oppress them. But it is not so among you; but whoever wants to be great among you will be your servant, and whoever wants to be the first among you will be a slave to all (Mk 10:42-44). This is a rule for all Christians. The message of the Master is clear: while the great and the powerful of the Earth build themselves thrones for their own power, God chooses an awkward throne - the cross - from which he reigns, from which he gives life: The Son of Man - says Jesus - did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many (Mk 10:45).
The path of service is the most effective antidote against the disease of the search for the places of honour; it is medicine for climbers, this search for positions of honour, which infects so many human contexts and does not spare even Christians - the people of God - even the ecclesiastical hierarchy. Therefore, as disciples of Christ, we welcome this Gospel as a call to conversion, to courageously and generously bear witness to a Church that bows at the feet of the lowly, to serve them with love and simplicity. May the Virgin Mary, who fully and humbly adhered to the will of God, help us to joyfully follow Jesus on the path of service, the high road that leads to Heaven.
Following the recitation of the Angelus, the Holy Father continued:
Dear brothers and sisters,
Yesterday, in Malaga (Spain), the Jesuit priest Tiburzio Arnáiz Muñoz, founder of the Missionaries of Rural Doctrines, was beatified. We thank the Lord for the testimony of this zealous minister of reconciliation and tireless proclaimer of the Gospel, especially among the humble and the forgotten. His example impels us to be agents of mercy and courageous missionaries in every environment; his intercession supports our journey. Everyone, let us applaud Blessed Tiburti!
Today we celebrate World Mission Sunday, focusing on the theme Together with the young we bring the Gospel to all. Together with the young: this is the way! And it is true that, thanks to God, we are currently experiencing the Synod that is dedicated to them: listening to them and involving them, we are discover many testimonies of young people who have found the meaning and joy of life in Jesus. And in many cases, they met him thanks to other young people, who were already surrounding themselves with the company of brothers and sisters who are part of the Church. We pray that the new generations will not miss out on the proclamation of the faith and the call to collaborate in the mission of the Church. I think of many Christians, men and women, lay people, consecrated persons, priests, bishops, who have spent their lives and who are still living far from their homelands, yet they are proclaiming the Gospel. We extend to them our love, our gratitude and our prayer.
Let us pray a Hail Mary for them.
Hail Mary ...
And now I greet all of you, pilgrims from Italy and from various countries. In particular, those from the diocese of Płock and of the Saint John Paul II School in Kartuzy (Poland); those from Braço do Norte (Brazil), Santa Fe (New Mexico) and from the Saint Chaumond Lyceum in Poitiers (France). And a group of young people from Buenos Aires and Cordoba (Argentina). I greet the Italian Secular Trinitarian Order and the boys from the Village of the simple in San Cataldo (Sicily). And also the newly-confirmed teenagers from Galzignano who I see there.
I address a special thought to the group from Caritas Internationalis, led by your President, Cardinal Luís Antonio Tagle, and some Bishops and people from various countries of the world. You have made a short pilgrimage to Rome, to express your desire to walk together, constantly learning to know each other better. I encourage this initiative of sharing the journey, which is promoted in many cities and which can transform our relationships with migrants. Many thanks to Caritas!
And I wish you all a good Sunday. Please, don't forget to pray for me. Enjoy your lunch and good bye.
(Original text in Italian)
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