Recalling St. Benedict, Pope urges faithful to remember needy

July 12, 2010

Reflecting upon the parable of the Good Samaritan during his July 11 Sunday Angelus address, Pope Benedict urged the faithful to act as “‘neighbors’ to whoever has need of help.”

Quoting his 2005 encyclical letter Deus Cartias Est, he added:

This Gospel passage offers the “standard,” which is the “universal love toward the needy whom we encounter ‘by chance’ (cf. Luke 10:31), whoever they may be.” Alongside this universal rule, there is also a specifically ecclesial responsibility: “within the ecclesial family no member should suffer through being in need.” The Christian’s project, taken from Jesus’ teaching, is “a heart that sees” where love is needed and acts appropriately.

The Pontiff also recalled that July 11 is the liturgical memorial of St. Benedict of Nursia, the patriarch of Western monasticism and “the great patron of my pontificate.”

 

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Further information:

• Le Parole Del Papa Alla Recita Dell’Angelus (Holy See)
• On the Good Samaritan (Zenit)
• Pope Benedict Celebrates St Benedict of Nursia (Vatican Radio)
• Deus Caritas Est (2005)