Pope tells students: fight the battle for holiness
December 02, 2013
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Pope Benedict led Roman university students in Vespers for the 1st Sunday of Advent on Saturday evening, November 30, in St. Peter’s basilica.
In his homily, the Pope observed that in his letter to the Thessalonians, St. Paul shows that he is keenly aware of his need for Christ’s constant help to rescue him from his own weakness. That same concern, the Pope continued, should be felt by every Christian, since we are all “besieged by the temptation to surrender to the worldly spirit.”
Jesus constantly comes to the help of his sinful brethren, the Pope said; the Lord is always faithful to his promise to help us. In fact, he said, our spiritual lives are “like a dialogue between our weakness and his fidelity.”
The Pope implored the young student to recognize the challenge of living a moral life, and be prepared to do spiritual battle. “Those who do not face these challenges, who do not rise up to them, do not live,” he said.
“Please, do not look upon life from the balcony, as an observer,” the Pope said. “Get involved, where there are challenges, where your help is needed-- to work for life, development, the fight for the dignity of persons, the struggle against poverty, the battle for values, and the many other battles we encounter every day.”
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