Build the Kingdom of Christ with resolve and prayers, Pope says
Vatican City (AsiaNews) In his remarks before today's Angelus, Pope John Paul II spoke of the conciliar document Lumen Gentium promulgated 40 years ago and of the recently released Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church in order to spur us to "assume with greater resolve" the responsibility of building the Kingdom of God. At times catching his breath, the Holy Father stressed that "human actions need prayers to reach its goal".
And as he prayed for all the monasteries devoted to the contemplative lifetoday is Pro Orantibus Day, a day for those who pray, the Pope called on all the faithful to "give spiritual and material support to the brothers and sisters" who chose to lead this life.
Here are the Pope's remarks before the Marian prayer:
"Today, last Sunday of the liturgical year, we celebrate the solemnity of Christ the King of the Universe.
"It was with Him in mind that 40 years ago the Fathers of the Second Vatican Council promulgated the 'Dogmatic Constitution on the Church' whose first words are: Lumen gentium cum sit Christus (Christ is the Light of nations).
"Lumen Gentium marked an important milestone in the journey of the Church along the roads of the modern world. It has spurred the People of God to assume with greater resolve the responsibility of building the Kingdom of Christ whose fulfillment will be only reached once we transcend History. Giving evangelical life to the temporal order is a duty of every baptised person, especially the laity (cf Lumen gentium, n 31,35,36,38 etc.).
"The Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church that was released this year by the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peaceto whom I extend once more my gratitudeis a useful tool to fulfill this mission.
"Every human action cannot however be without prayer if it is to reach its goal. Today we celebrate Pro Orantibus Day. I commend to the Most Holy Mary the communities devoted to the contemplative life to whom I extend my greetings. May they never be without the spiritual and material support of the faithful.
"After the Angelus prayer, John Paul II said that today in Italy was Migration Day, celebrated this year around the theme 'The world is a home: from distrust to acceptance'. And in this spirit, he greeted "all the migrants and all those who stand by their side in their journey of faith and fraternity. God bless you all!"
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