VATICAN - Pope Benedict XVI in Austria - “Volunteer work is a service to human dignity, inasmuch as men and women are created in the image and likeness of God … the volunteer work carried out by children is at times impressive; we need only think of the activity of the Sternsinger at Christmastime”

Tuesday, 11 September 2007

Vienna (Agenzia Fides) - “ It is good to meet people who are trying to give a face to the Gospel message in our communities; to see people, young and old, who concretely express in Church and society the love which we, as Christians, must be overwhelmed: the love of God which enables us to see others as our neighbours, our brothers and sisters!”. The Pope's last meeting before leaving Austria was with volunteer associations on Sunday 9 September at the Wiener Konzerthaus.
Citing the different motives behind voluntary work which represents “an occasion for personal growth and for active and responsible participation in the life of society.”, the Pope recalled that “ Frequently it is simply born of a desire to do something meaningful and helpful, and out of a desire for new experiences. Young people rightly and naturally also discover in volunteer work a source of joy, positive experiences and genuine camaraderie in carrying out a worthwhile project alongside others”. Benedict XVI expressed satisfaction for the marked "culture of volunteerism" in Austria, and he thanked “every woman and every man, all the young people and all the children - the volunteer work carried out by children is at times impressive; we need only think of the activity of the Sternsinger at Christmastime; you, dear Archbishop, have already mentioned this. I would also like to express gratitude for the efforts, large and small, which often go unnoticed”.
“ Love of neighbour is not something that can be delegated; - the Pope continued - . the State and the political order, even with their necessary concern for the provision of social services, - as you, Mr President, have said - cannot take its place. Love of neighbour always demands a voluntary personal commitment, and the State, of course, can and must provide the conditions which make this possible. Thanks to such involvement, assistance maintains a human dimension and does not become depersonalised. Volunteers like yourselves, then, are not “stopgaps” in the social fabric, but people who truly contribute to giving our society a humane and Christian face.”
The Holy Father then said that “Volunteer work is really about the heart of the Christian image of God and man: love of God and love of neighbour” and that “volunteer work reflects gratitude for, and the desire to share with others, the love that we ourselves have received… For all the many different or even contradictory reasons which motivate people to volunteer their services, all are ultimately based on a profound solidarity born of “gratuitousness”. “ It was as a free gift that we received life from our Creator, - Benedict explained - it was as a free gift that we were set free from the blind alley of sin and evil, it was as a free gift that we were given the Spirit with his many gifts… By our commitment to volunteer work, we freely pass on what we ourselves have received. This “inner logic” of gratuitousness goes beyond strict moral obligation.… Without volunteer service, society and the common good could not, cannot and will not endure. A readiness to be at the service of others is something which surpasses the calculus of outlay and return: it shatters the rules of a market economy.”
In his address the Pope underlined that “ Volunteer work is a service to human dignity, inasmuch as men and women are created in the image and likeness of God… Volunteer workers have regard for others; they remind us of the dignity of every human being and they awaken enthusiasm and hope. Volunteer workers are guardians and advocates of human rights and human dignity… In the gaze of others, and particularly of the person who needs our help, we experience the concrete demands of Christian love. Jesus Christ does not teach us a spirituality “of closed eyes”, but one of “alertness”, one which entails an absolute duty to take notice of the needs of others and of situations involving those whom the Gospel tells us are our neighbours. The gaze of Jesus, what “his eyes” teach us, leads to human closeness, solidarity, giving time, sharing our gifts and even our material goods.”
“ Finally, the commandment of love for God and neighbour (cf. Mt 22:37-40; Lk 10:27) reminds us that it is through our love of neighbour that we Christians honour God himself… If Jesus himself is present in the concrete man or woman whom we encounter, then unremunerated service can bring us to an experience of God… To conclude, I would like to mention the power of prayer and its importance for everyone engaged in charitable work. Praying to God sets us free from ideologies or a sense of hopelessness in the face of endless needs.”.
After the meeting with Volunteer Associations the Pope went to Vienna for the farewell ceremony and then boarded the Austrian Air Lines Airbus for Rome. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 11/9/2007; righe 57, parole 775)


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