Pope says Sunday a day for deeper prayer

Vatican City, Jul 18, 2004 / 22:00 pm

The Holy Father, on returning to his apostolic palace at Castelgandolfo from his 12 day vacation, prayed the Angelus with several thousand faithful and, referring to the day’s Gospel, spoke of the importance of keeping Sunday a day to “meet and listen to the Lord.”

Sundays’s Gospel was the account of when Jesus visits the home of Mary and Martha, noting that “while Martha was busy with household chores, Mary was seated at the Lord's feet and listened to His word. Christ affirms that 'Mary has chosen the good portion which shall not be taken away from her'. Listening to the word of God is the most important thing in our life,” said the Pope.

The Holy Father pointed to the many occasions for listening to God: by reading Sacred Scripture, in private or community prayer, in silence before the tabernacle and “especially on Sundays when Christians are called to meet and listen to the Lord, ... through participation in the Mass.”

“When, through the action of the Holy Spirit, God resides in the heart of the believer, it becomes easier to serve our brothers. That happened in a singular and perfect way in Mary Most Holy. We entrust this vacation time to her, so that it will be best used as a propitious occasion for rediscovering the primacy of interior life,” he said.

Following the Angelus prayer, John Paul II greeted the faithful present, especially the residents of Castelgandolfo, whom he thanked “for your always warm welcome.” He also greeted Cardinal Angelo Sodano, secretary of State, and other religious and civil authorities present.