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Pope at General Audience: Pray Always, Don’t Lose Heart by Deborah Castellano Lubov
We are to pray always without becoming weary, for God always answers us.
Pope Francis reminded the faithful of this reality during his weekly General Audience this morning in St. Peter’s Square, as he continued his catechesis for the Holy Year of Mercy, turning to Jesus’ parableof the unjust judge and the widow (Lk 18:1-8).
The Holy Father recalled that Jesus tells us that even an unscrupulous judge will finally render justice to a poor woman because of her persistence. In the Lord recounting this, the Jesuit Pope explained, He encourages us to persevere in prayer to our heavenly Father, who is infinitely just and loving.
“The Lord,” the Pope suggested, “also assures us that God will not only hear our prayers, but will not delay in answering them.” In giving us this parable, Francis explained that Jesus tells us to “pray always and not lose heart.”
“All experience moments of fatigue and discouragement, especially when our prayers seem ineffective. But Jesus assures us: unlike the unjust judge, God answers His children promptly, although this does not mean necessarily doing it in the time and manner that we would like.”
“Prayer is not a magic wand! It helps to keep faith in God, to trust in Him even when we do not understand His will”
The Gospels tell us that Jesus himself prayed constantly. His own intense prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane is a model for our own: it teaches us to present our petitions with complete trust in Father’s gracious will.
Concerned about his upcoming anguish, Jesus prayed to the Father to deliver Him from the Passion, but ultimately His prayer is overtaken by trust in the Father. Although Jesus’ wish was not the Father’s will, He trusted. “The object of prayer,” the Pontiff explained, “is of secondary importance; what matters above all is the relationship with the Father.”
“This is what prayer does: it transforms the desire and model according to the will of God, whatever it is, because who prays, aspires, first of all, for union with the Father, Who is merciful love.”
The Pope then reminded those present that the parable of the unjust judge and the widow ends with a pointed question: “When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth”? (v. 8). Stressing that perseverance in prayer keeps our faith alive and strong, the Holy Father noted how, in our prayer, we experience the compassion of God “who, like a Father filled with love and mercy, is ever ready to come to the aid of His children.”
Pope Francis concluded, urging those gathered to ask the Lord for an unceasing, persevering faith, like that of the widow in the parable.
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On ZENIT’s Web page:
Full Translation to be made available shortly
GENERAL AUDIENCE: On Praying Without Ceasing by ZENIT Staff
Here is a ZENIT translation of the address Pope Francis gave during this morning’s general audience in St. Peter’s Square.
Dear Brothers and Sisters, good morning!
The Gospel parable we just heard (cf. Luke 18:1-8) contains an important teaching: “The need to pray always and not lose heart” (v. 1). Therefore, it is not about praying sometimes, when I feel like it. No, Jesus says that we must “pray always, and not lose heart,” and He gives the example of the widow and the judge.
The judge is a powerful character, called to hand down sentences on the basis of the Law of Moses. Therefore, the biblical tradition recommended that judges be persons fearful of God, worthy of faith, impartial and incorruptible (cf. Exodus 18:21). This judge, however, “neither feared God nor regarded man” (v. 2). He was an iniquitous judge, without scruples, who did not take the Law into account but did what he wished, according to his interest. A widow comes to him to have justice. Widows, together with orphans and foreigners, were the weakest categories of the society. The rights ensured to them by the Law could be easily trampled because, being persons alone and without defense, they could hardly make themselves heard.: a poor widow, there, alone, no one defended her; they could ignore her, also not give her justice. The same with the orphan, so also the foreigner, the migrant; at that time this problem was very strong. In face of the judge’s indifference, the widow takes recourse to her only weapon: to continue insistently to importune him, presenting him her request for justice. And, precisely with this perseverance, she accomplishes her purpose. At a certain point, in fact, at a certain point the judge listens to her, not because he is moved by mercy, or because his conscience imposed it on him; he simply admits: ”because this widow bothers me, I will vindicate her, or she will wear me out by her continual coming” (v. 5).
Jesus draws a twofold conclusion from this parable: if the widow succeeded in bending the dishonest judge with her insistent requests, how much more God, who is a good and just Father, “will vindicate His elect, who cry to Him day and night?.” And, moreover, “He will vindicate them speedily” (vv. 7-8).
Therefore, Jesus exhorts to pray “without losing heart.” We all experience moments of tiredness and discouragement, especially when our prayer seems ineffective. But Jesus assures us: as opposed to the dishonest judge, God speedily listens to His children even if He does not do so in the times and ways that we wish. Prayer is not a magic wand. It helps to keep faith in God and to entrust ourselves to Him, even when we do not understand His will.
In this Jesus Himself – who prayed so much! – is our example. The Letter to the Hebrews reminds us that “In the days of His flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to Him who was able to save Him from death, and He was heard for His godly fear (5:7). At first sight this affirmation seems unlikely, because Jesus died on the cross. Yet the Letter to the Hebrews is not mistaken: God truly saved Jesus from death giving Him complete victory over it, but the way followed to obtain it passed through death itself! The reference to the supplication that God heard refers to Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane. Assailed by imminent anguish, Jesus prays to the Father to let the bitter chalice of the Passion pass from Him, but His prayer is pervaded by trust in the Father and He entrusts Himself to His will without reservations: “Nevertheless – says Jesus – not as I will, but as Thou wilt” (Matthew 26:39). The object of the prayer passes to the second plane; what matters first of all is His relation with the Father. See what prayer does: it transforms the desire and moulds it according to God’s will, whatever it is, because one who prays aspires first of all to union with Him, merciful Love.
The parable ends with a question: “Nevertheless, when the Son of man comes, will He find faith on earth?” (v. 8). And, with this question, we are all put on guard: we must not desist from prayer even if it is not requited. It is prayer that preserves faith; without it, faith vacillates! Let us ask the Lord for a faith that makes itself incessant, perseverant prayer, as that of the widow of the parable, a faith that is nourished by the desire of His coming. And, in prayer, we experience God’s compassion that, as a Father, comes to meet His children full of merciful love.
[Original text: Italian] [Translation by ZENIT]
GREETING IN ITALIAN
Dear Italian-speaking pilgrims: welcome!
I greet the Sisters of Our Lady of the Cenacle, on the occasion of their General Chapter; the “Small Charity Work” Foundation with the Bishop of Teramo-Atri, Monsignor Michele Seccia. I greet the Sisters of the Mater Ecclesiae Missionary College of Castel Gandolfo, leaving for their countries; the parish groups, particularly the faithful of Sotto il Monte Giovanni XXIII and the guests of the Sanatrix rehabilitation center of Eboli. I invite you to live the Jubilee of Mercy with faith: may the crossing of the Holy Door increase in all the sense of belonging to the Church and the necessity of works of mercy towards brothers.
A special thought goes to young people, the sick and newlyweds. Today we celebrate the memory of Pope Saint Gregory VII. May his love for the Lord indicate to you, dear young people the importance of the relationship with God in your life; may it encourage you, dear sick, to face with faith the moments of suffering; may it stimulate you, dear newlyweds, to educate in a Christian way the children the Lord might wish to give you.
[Original text: Italian} [Translation by ZENIT]
THE HOLY FATHER’S APPEALS
Observed today is International Missing Children’s Day. It is a duty of all to protect children, especially those exposed to a high risk of exploitation, trafficking and devious conduct. I hope that the civil and religious Authorities are able to shake and sensitize consciences, to avoid indifference in face of the hardship of children who are alone, exploited and removed from their families and their social context; children who cannot grow serenely and look to the future with hope. I invite all to prayer so that each one of them is restored to the affection of his dear ones.
Tomorrow, at Rome, we will live the traditional procession of Corpus Domini. I will celebrate Mass at 7:00 pm in Saint John Lateran and then we will adore the Most Blessed Sacrament, walking to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major. I invite Romans and pilgrims to take part in this solemn public ceremony of faith and of love for Jesus truly present in the Eucharist.
[Original text: Italian] [Translation by ZENIT]
Last Monday some terrorist attacks happened in Syria, which caused the death of some hundred defenseless civilians. I exhort all to pray to the merciful Father and to Our Lady that eternal rest be granted to the victims, consolation to their families and conversion of heart to all those that sow death and destruction.
[Hail Mary …]
[Original text: Italian] [Translation by ZENIT]
Pope Praises Gemelli Hospital’s Perinatal Hospice Care by ZENIT Staff
On the occasion of the Congress “Defending Life: the perinatal hospice as a scientific, ethical and human response to prenatal diagnosis” held this morning at the Agostino Gemelli University Hospital, Rome, Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin sent a message on behalf of the Holy Father to Bishop Claudio Giuliodori, general ecclesiastical assistant of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, to which the institution belongs.
The term “perinatal hospice” refers to fetal medicine and prenatal palliative care, as well as the accompanying of the unborn child as a patient, also in the case of the most extreme pathological conditions.
Pope Francis greets the participants with affection and expresses his hope that “new targets may be reached in the service of the person and in the progress of medical sciences, with constant reference to perennial human and Christian values, seeking to respond fully to poverty such as the situation of the child with grave pathologies, with the greatest of love, promoting a concept of science that serves and does not select.”
Related: One mom’s experience with perinatal hospice
His Holiness also expresses his deep satisfaction with what has been achieved so far due to the skilful care of the hospital staff, and invites them to strive daily to implement God’s plan for life, protecting it with courage, love and closeness, rejecting the throwaway culture that proposes only paths to death, thinking that suffering can be eliminated by suppressing those who suffer.
Why “Last Days in the Desert” Is So Boring by Bishop Robert Barron
With his latest film, Last Days in the Desert, Rodrigo Garcia has accomplished something truly remarkable. He has taken a portion of the life of the single most compelling person who has ever lived and turned it into a colossally boring movie. As I watched Last Days in the Desert, I was reminded of many films that I saw in Paris as a doctoral student: lots of uninterrupted shots of natural scenes, many views of people walking around and saying nothing, endless close-ups of serious faces looking blankly into the middle distance. At times I thought that all of this meditative build-up would result in a spectacular payoff, but no–just more walking around and looking.
What made the film so tedious, however, was not simply its cinematic style. It was the fact that, like dozens of similar movies over the past fifty years, it portrayed Jesus simply as a human being, one spiritual searcher among many. I will confess to being amused by the breathless advertising around Last Days in the Desert, announcing that this movie is “reckless” and “daring” in its presentation of a more human Christ. Give me a break! What would be truly dramatic and eye-opening would be a film that compellingly shows that the carpenter from Nazareth is also God. In Ewan McGregor’s characterization, we see Jesus as a good, decent, honest man who is earnestly seeking his path. There is nothing miraculous, distinctive, or particularly supernatural about him. He is like any other religious founder, indeed like any spiritually alert person you might run into at church. Fine, but so what? Why, one wonders, should we pay any attention to him? Why would this figure be remembered after 2,000 years? Why would much of Western civilization be grounded in him?
Now please don’t misunderstand me: a clear affirmation of the humanity of Jesus is part and parcel of Christian orthodoxy. In the language of the Council of Chalcedon, Christ is “truly human and truly divine,” the two natures inhering in the unity of one person and coming together “without mixing, mingling, or confusion.” According to the Church, Jesus is not quasi-divine and quasi-human, in the manner of Achilles or Hercules, but rather completely human and completely divine. There has been indeed, throughout Christian history, the temptation toward a monophysite reading, according to which Jesus has only one nature, namely divine. On this interpretation, the Lord’s humanity is a simulacrum of a real human nature, as though God were merely donning the appearance of a human being. The orthodox Christian tradition has always stood athwart such a view. In fact, during the eighth-century monothelite (one will) controversy, the Church held that Jesus has a fully-constituted human nature, endowed with a human mind and human will. Therefore, it is perfectly permissible to speak of real development within Jesus’ human nature, as does the Gospel of Luke: “and Jesus advanced in wisdom and age and favor before God and man.” It is even appropriate to speak, as the letter to the Hebrews does, of Jesus being “tempted in every way that we are.” Thus Last Days in the Desert is certainly justified in portraying the Lord as subject to temptation and discouragement. So far, so orthodox.
But if Jesus is merely human, the heck with him. What makes him compelling, fascinating, and strange is the play between his humanity and his very real divinity. In point of fact, all of the poetry and drama of Christianity–on display in Chartres Cathedral, Dante’s Divine Comedy, Aquinas’s Summa, John Henry Newman’s sermons, Chesterton’s essays, the mysticism of Teresa of Avila, and the ministry of Mother Teresa–is a function of this juxtaposition. To reduce Jesus to the human level alone is to render an altogether prosaic Jesus, which is precisely what we have in Last Days in the Desert.
There is a distinction between the Bible and practically all other spiritualities, religions, and philosophies of the world. Whereas those last three can articulate very well the dynamics of our search for God, the former is not primarily interested in that story. It tells, rather, of God’s search for us. Mind you, that first story is a darned good one, and it’s told over and again in spiritual literature from the Epic of Gilgamesh to Star Wars. It has beguiled the minds of some of the great figures in human history: Homer, Virgil, Cicero, Plato, Spinoza, Kant, Newton, and James Joyce. In a very real sense, the comparative mythologist Joseph Campbell was right: in all of the cultures of the world, one great song is sung and one great monomyth is repeated. But the Bible is not one more iteration of the monomyth. It is the deeply disorienting account of how the creator of the universe hunts us down, finally coming after us personally in Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus is not one more man looking for God; he is God in the flesh, searching for his people: “It is not you who have chosen me; it is I who have chosen you.”
Would that a filmmaker might come forward to tell that story.
Bishop Robert Barron is an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and the founder of Word on Fire Catholic Ministries.
Bishop Cries Out as ISIS Devastates Syrian Towns by John Pontifex
A Syrian prelate has described desperate efforts to tend to the injured and the dying following multiple ISIS attacks on Tartous and Jableh, which have left more than 200 dead and nearly 650 injured.
Bishop Antoine Chbeir told international Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need that the May 23 attacks in his diocese were the first of their kind in an area where displaced Syrians had gathered by the hundreds of thousands. The coastal region has remained under Syrian government control and was considered to be one of the country’s last remaining safe havens for Muslims and Christians alike.
The prelate warned that the attacks on the two coastal cities may prompt a surge in people fleeing Syria: “If there are no safe areas in Syria, still more people will leave the country—probably for good. Many of them will go by sea.”
According to local news reports, the apparent aim of ISIS was to strike the Assad regime in its core stronghold, which is backed by the nearby Russian fleet.
The Maronite bishop of Latakia described the desperate efforts of clergy and laity to come to the aid of victims, adding that now priests have begun burying the dead. Bishop Chbeir said: “We are trying to help the people and are taking care of the wounded. It is a very dramatic situation and when the disaster struck we wondered if we could cope.
“Right now, our priests and people are on the scene. They are visiting the people – many of them have broken legs and deep wounds, not to mention the psychological effects.”
Bishop Chbeir continued: “First of all, we need physical and material help, just to help those affected to have something to eat and to help them take care of those who are suffering the most.” He added: “We care for people not because of their particular religion but because they are human beings. In this month of May, we are praying to Our Lady to help us.”
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Aid to the Church in Need is an international Catholic charity under the guidance of the Holy See, providing assistance to the suffering and persecuted Church in more than 140 countries. www.churchinneed.org (USA); www.acnuk.org (UK); www.aidtochurch.org (AUS); www.acnireland.org (IRL); www.acn-aed-ca.org (CAN)www.acnmalta.org (Malta)
Pope Exhorts Whole World to Help Find Missing Children by ZENIT Staff
Pope Francis made a heartfelt appeal on behalf of children today, noting at the general audience that May 25 is International Missing Children’s Day.
“It is a duty of all to protect children, especially those exposed to a high risk of exploitation, trafficking and devious conduct,” the Pope said. “I hope that the civil and religious Authorities are able to shake and sensitize consciences, to avoid indifference in face of the hardship of children who are alone, exploited and removed from their families and their social context; children who cannot grow serenely and look to the future with hope.
“I invite all to prayer so that each one of them is restored to the affection of his dear ones.”
Vatican Radio noted that Missing Children’s Day was established in the United States by President Ronald Reagan in 1983, four years after the disappearance of 6-year-old Etan Patz in New York City. The date of his disappearance, May 25, was chosen for the annual commemoration. Since 1998 Missing Children’s Day has been commemorated internationally.
Pope on Syria Attack: ‘May God Convert Hearts of Those Sowing Death, Destruction’ by Deborah Castellano Lubov
Pope Francis is praying God convert the hearts of those who sow death and destruction.
At the conclusion of his weekly General Audience, the Pope recalled the victims of terrorist attacks that took place in Syria on Monday, and exhorted “everyone to pray to the merciful Father, to pray to the Madonna, that [God] might give eternal rest to the victims, and consolation to their families.”
The Holy Father also prayed that God “might convert the hearts of those who sow death and destruction.” Francis then invited those gathered to say the Hail Mary.
According to state media, in the cities of Jableh and Tartous on Syria’s Mediterranean coast, bombs killed nearly 150 people and wounded at least 200 in the government-controlled territory that hosts Russian military bases. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attacks in the cities, which, up to now, remained relatively untouched during this civil war now in its sixth year. Yesterday, in Syria, funerals for the victims began.
Pope Francis to Lead Corpus Christi Procession in Rome by Deborah Castellano Lubov
On Thursday, May 26, Pope Francis will preside over the Eucharistic celebration for the Solemnity of Corpus Christi in the courtyard of the Basilica of Saint John Lateran.
The Holy Father confirmed this at the end of today’s General Audience in St. Peter’s Sauare.
At the end of tomorrow’s Mass, the Pope will lead the traditional procession that will take place to the nearby Basilica of Saint Mary Major, from where the Pontiff will impart the solemn Eucharistic Blessing.
All faithful interested in attending the Papal Mass, and partaking in the procession which follows, are welcome to attend. Tickets are not needed, as faithful will have free access to the square to take part in the celebration.
Tradition involves candle-carrying faithful taking part in the procession, thereby illuminating an otherwise dark Via Merulana, the arterial street leading from the archbasilica of St. John Lateran to the Marian Basilica of St. Mary Major.
The festivities of the evening will conclude in front of Saint Mary Major, with the Pope’s benediction with the Blessed Sacrament.
Update on Vatileaks II Trial by ZENIT Staff
Tuesday at 3.45 p.m., a further hearing was held in the Vatican City State Tribunal in the ongoing trial for the dissemination of reserved information and documents, according to information provided by the director of the Holy See Press Office, Fr. Federico Lombardi, S.J.
It was attended by the members of the Tribunal (Professors Giuseppe Dalla Torre, Piero Antonio Bonnet, Paolo Papanti-Pelletier and Venerando Marano), the Promoter of Justice (Professor Roberto Zannotti), and the defendants Ángel Lucio Vallejo Balda, Francesca Immacolata Chaouqui, Nicola Maio and Emiliano Fittipaldi, whereas the defendant Gianluigi Nuzzi was absent but represented by his lawyers. Therefore, all five respective legal representatives were present: Emanuela Bellardini, Laura Sgrò, Rita Claudia Baffioni, Lucia Teresa Musso and Roberto Palombi.
At the beginning of the hearing, as determined by the Court Summons read during the last session on 17 May, the requests of the counsels for the defence of Chaouqui and Fittipaldi were heard, consequent to elements that emerged from the testimony given by the deputy commissioner Gianluca Gauzzi Broccoletti during the hearing of 16 May 2016, and the position of the Promoter of Justice with regard to these requests. The panel of the Tribunal therefore retired to the Council Chamber for around twenty minutes; upon re-entry an Order was issued by which the Tribunal requested the acquisition of documentation produced by the counsels for the defence, Sgrò and Musso; accepted the request to examine again the defendants Chaouqui and Fittipaldi, again with regard to the aforementioned testimony; the right was reserved to evaluate the request for a supplementary expert witness, and requested the continuation of the debate.
The examination of the witness Gianluca Gauzzi Broccoletti was therefore resumed and concluded with questioning by the Promoter of Justice and the counsels for the defence. The declarations by Francesca Immacolata Chaouqui were heard, and the new witness summoned by the Promoter of Justice, Stefano De Santis of the Gendarme Corps, was examined. Finally, the declarations of Emiliano Fittipaldi were heard.
After each testimony or declaration, the relevant report was read and approved. The session ended at around 7.45 p.m.
The next hearing will be held on 14 June, at 3.30 p.m. The declarations of Gianluigi Nuzzi will be given, as requested by his lawyer, and the expert witnesses will be heard.
English Summary of Pope’s General Audience by ZENIT Staff
Here is the Vatican-provided English-language summary of Pope Francis’ General Audience this morning in St. Peter’s Square:
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Speaker: Dear Brothers and Sisters: In our continuing catechesis for this Holy Year of Mercy, we now turn to the parable of the unjust judge and the widow (Lk 18:1-8). In telling us that even an unscrupulous judge will finally render justice to a poor woman because of her persistence, Jesus encourages us to persevere in prayer to our heavenly Father, who is infinitely just and loving. He also assures us that God will not only hear our prayers, but will not delay in answering them (vv. 7-8). The Gospels tell us that Jesus himself prayed constantly. His own intense prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane is a model for our own: it teaches us to present our petitions with complete trust in Father’s gracious will. The parable of the unjust judge and the widow ends with a pointed question: “When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth”? (v. 8). Perseverance in prayer keeps our faith alive and strong. For in that prayer, we experience the compassion of God who, like a Father filled with love and mercy, is ever ready to come to the aid of his children.
Speaker: I greet the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today’s Audience, particularly those from England, Ireland, Scotland, Denmark, Switzerland, China, Indonesia, Japan, Nigeria, the Philippines, Seychelles, Canada and the United States of America. With prayerful good wishes that the present Jubilee of Mercy will be a moment of grace and spiritual renewal for you and your families, I invoke upon all of you joy and peace in our Lord Jesus Christ.
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