Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Introd (Agenzia Fides) – From the his cottage where he has been spending some days of rest this summer, in Les Combes (Introd), in Valle d'Aosta, on Sunday, July 26, the Holy Father Benedict XVI led the recitation of the Angelus with a large gathering of faithful and pilgrims in the field surrounding his residence. Wishing all present a “Buona domenica” (a good Sunday), in his speech prior to the Angelus, the Holy Father thanked all those present and those who accompany him with “discretion and with great dedication.” “I am grateful to God that he has conceded me the joy of these days marked by true relaxation -- despite the little accident about which you know well.”
The Holy Father gave a reflection on the Gospel reading of the day, which tells of Jesus's miraculous multiplication of the bread and the fish: “the Evangelist the evangelist emphasizes that Christ, before distributing them, blessed them with a prayer of thanksgiving (cf. 6:11). The [Greek] verb is 'eucharistein' and points directly to the account of the Last Supper, in which, in effect, John does not treat the institution of the Eucharist but rather the washing of the feet. Here the Eucharist is anticipated as the great sign of the bread of life. In this Year for Priests, how can we not recall that we priests can be especially reflected in this Johannine text, identifying ourselves with the Apostles, where it says: Where can we find bread for all these people? And reading about that anonymous boy who has five loaves and two fish, we too spontaneously say: But what is this for such a multitude? In other words: What am I? How can I, with my limitations, help Jesus in his mission? And the Lord gives the answer: Precisely by putting into his 'holy and venerable' hands the little that they are, priests become instruments of salvation for many, for all!”
The second reflection the Holy Father gave was on the memory of Saints Joachim and Anne, the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and therefore, Jesus' grandparents. “ This feast makes us think about the topic of education, which has such an important place in the pastoral work of the Church. In particular, it invites us to pray for grandparents, who, in the family, are the depositaries and the witnesses of the fundamental values of life. The educational task of grandparents is always very important, and it becomes even more so when, for different reasons, the parents are not able to ensure an adequate presence to their children, while they are growing up.” Lastly, the Pope entrusted “all the grandparents of the world” to the protection of Saint Anne and Saint Joachim, offering them a special blessing and calling on the intercession of the Virgin Mary, that she might “help grandparents to always nourish their faith and hope at the font of the Word of God.” (SL) (Agenzia Fides 27/7/2009)
