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Pope Benedict XVI’s Weekly General Audience on Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Touring the square in his open topped Pope mobile, well rested after a period spent in his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, Pope Benedict thanked pilgrims who waved enthusiastically, holding up giant banners with birthday greetings. As a special birthday gift he asked them to pray for him so that he may “persevere” in his service to Christ and His Church”.
In comments in Italian, Pope Benedict focused on what he termed the ‘little Pentecost’ that shook the disciples gathered in prayer in the face of persecution, when “all unanimously raised their voice to God.” “In the face of danger, difficulties and threats, the first Christian community does not try to carry out an analysis or draw up strategies on how to defend themselves, on measures to be taken, rather they join in prayer. A unanimous and united prayer. This something that should always be fundamental to the Church. The community is not afraid and does not become divided. This is the first miracle that takes place when believers are tested for their faith: unity is strengthened rather than compromised “.
At this time of trial, he said, the Church does not seek “safety in the face of persecution, but that it may be granted to boldly proclaim the word of God, it prays not to lose the courage to proclaim the faith, but first try to read events in the light of faith”, until it sees in the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus” the key to understanding persecution. “
Here, the Pope continued “we also find the meaning of the persecution that the early Christian community is experiencing; this first community is not a simple association, but a community that lives in Christ, so what happens is part of God’s plan . As it happened to Jesus, the disciples also encountered opposition, misunderstanding, persecution. In prayer, meditation on Sacred Scripture in the light of the mystery of Christ helps us to read the present reality within salvation history which God realizes in the world, always in His own way. “
The Holy Father concluded his catechesis: “Like the first Christian community prayer helps us to read personal and collective history in a just perspective that is faithful to God. We too want to renew the request of the gift of the Holy Spirit, that warms the heart and enlightens the mind, to recognize how the Lord realizes our prayers according to His loving will and not according to our ideas. Led by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, we will be able to live with serenity, courage and joy in all of life’s situations and with St. Paul boast in our sufferings, knowing that tribulation brings patience, patience brings tested virtue and tested virtue, hope: the hope that does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit Holy that was gifted to us. ”
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