Pope: we need rest and prayer, not to pass from rush of work to rush of holidays
"We need an 'ecology of the heart'". "It is not enough to 'unplug', we need to really rest. And to do this, we need to go back to the heart of things: stop, be silent, pray". Closeness to the populations of Germany, Belgium and Holland affected by the floods and to those of South Africa and Cuba wounded by violence.
Vatican City (AsiaNews) - "We need an 'ecology of the heart', comprising rest, contemplation and compassion," urged Pope Francis, who still a little tired, was speaking to several thousand people present in St. Peter's Square for the recitation of the Angelus. After the prayer he recalled the populations of Germany, Belgium and Holland affected by the floods and those of South Africa and Cuba wounded by violence.
Francis said that rest is not just "unplugging", "it is necessary to really rest", returning "to the heart of things: to stop, to be in silence, to pray, so as not to pass from the rush of work to the rush of holidays". "Let us learn to pause, to turn off the mobile phone, to contemplate nature, to regenerate ourselves in dialogue with God".
The Pope commented on today's Gospel passage (Mk 6:30-34) in which Jesus invites the apostles returning from their missions to "rest a while". "In doing so, Jesus gives us a valuable teaching. Although he rejoices to see his disciples happy because of the wonders of preaching, he does not dwell on compliments and questions, but is concerned about their physical and inner weariness".
"He wants to warn them of a danger, which is always lurking for us too: letting ourselves get caught up in the frenzy of doing, falling into the trap of activism, where the most important thing is the results we obtain and feeling that we are the absolute protagonists. How often this happens in the Church too: we are busy, we rush, we think that everything depends on us and, in the end, we risk neglecting Jesus". "This is why he invites his followers to rest a little while apart, with him. It is not only physical rest, it is also rest of the heart. Because it is not enough to 'unplug', we need to really rest. And to do this, we need to go back to the heart of things: to stop, to be silent, to pray, so as not to go from the rush of work to the rush of holidays".
"Jesus did not shirk the needs of the crowd, but every day, before anything else, he withdrew in prayer, in silence, in intimacy with the Father. His tender invitation - rest a while - should accompany us: let us beware of efficiency, let us stop the frenetic rush that dictates our agendas. Let us learn to pause, to switch off the mobile phone, to contemplate nature, to regenerate ourselves in dialogue with God".
However, the Gospel tells us that Jesus and the disciples cannot rest as they would like. People find them and flock to them from all sides. "At that point the Lord is moved to compassion. Here is the second aspect: compassion. That is God's style.
"Moved, Jesus dedicates himself to the people and resumes teaching (cf. vv. 33-34). This seems like a contradiction, but in reality it is not. In fact, only the heart that does not let itself be carried away by haste is capable of being moved, that is, of not letting itself get caught up in itself and the things to be done, and of noticing others, their wounds, their needs. Compassion is born of contemplation. If we learn to truly rest, we become capable of true compassion; if we cultivate a contemplative gaze, we will carry out our activities without the rapacious attitude of those who want to possess and consume everything; if we remain in contact with the Lord and do not anaesthetise the deepest part of us, the things to be done will not have the power to take our breath away and devour us. We need an 'ecology of the heart', consisting of rest, contemplation and compassion. Let us take advantage of the summer time for this! And now, let us pray to Our Lady, who has cultivated silence, prayer and contemplation, and who always moves with tender compassion for us her children".
Then after the recitation of the Marian prayer Francis expressed his closeness to the people of Germany, Belgium and Holland. "Mat the Lord welcome the deceased and comfort their families, and may He sustain the commitment of all in helping those who have suffered serious damage".
In the last week," he said, "we have unfortunately received news of violent episodes that have aggravated the situation of many of our brothers and sisters in South Africa, who have already been hit by economic and health difficulties due to the pandemic. Together with the country's bishops, I make an urgent appeal to all those involved to work for peace and to cooperate with the authorities in providing assistance to those in need. May the desire that has guided the people of South Africa to be reborn in harmony among all their children not be forgotten".
And he concluded :"I am also close to the dear Cuban people in these difficult moments. In particular to the families who suffer most. I pray to the Lord to help them build an ever more just and fraternal society in peace, dialogue and solidarity. I urge all Cubans to entrust themselves to the maternal protection of Our Lady of Caridad del Cobre".
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