Pope Angelus: Listen and offer welcome to one another
(Vatican Radio) Before
the recitation of the Marian prayer the Holy Father spoke of the importance of
hospitality calling it a real Christian virtue, but one which at times the
world neglects.
He drew his inspiration for
this theme from the Sunday Gospel in which St Luke recounts the story of Jesus
who is welcomed into the home of two sisters Martha and Mary. They both offer
their hospitality in different ways. Martha is busy preparing things while Mary
stays to listen to Jesus’ words. When Martha protests that she has to do
everything, Jesus reminds her that in order to welcome him many things are not
necessary; indeed, only one thing is necessary, said Pope Francis, to listen to
Jesus, "show him a fraternal attitude, so he feels what it is like to be
part of the family, and not in a temporary shelter. "
Putting the Gospel reading in
the context of life today, Pope Francis gave an example. He said that there are
many people in nursing homes and hospices, but it is not always the place where
real hospitality is practiced.
He also noted that people are
so taken up with the pace of life, with big and small problems that we do not
take the time to listen to one another . So at the conclusion of his address
the Pope invited people to dedicate more time to listening because he said, the
root of peace is in the capacity to listen.
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