God defends those who trust in him, says Pope Benedict

Vatican City, Aug 2, 2005 / 22:00 pm

The Lord gives all those who trust and believe in him confidence and encouragement, even when they are faced with life’s difficulties or their own inner burdens of discouragement, mediocrity and fatigue, said Pope Benedict XVI.

The Pope, returning from his summer residence at Castel Gandolfo, commented on Psalm 124 during his catechism and general audience this morning in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican.

“Psalm 124, one of the ‘gradual psalms’ traditionally recited during the pilgrimage to Mount Sion, proclaims that all who put their trust in the Lord stand solid and unshakeable,” the Pope said.

“As Jerusalem is protected from its enemies by the mountains that surround her, so the Lord’s faithful are defended from all danger by his presence,” he continued.

Even when a believer feels isolated and surrounded by danger and hostility, his faith must be serene.

“As believers, we may experience external difficulties and the inner burden of our own discouragement, mediocrity and fatigue, but the Lord, the just judge, gives us confidence and encouragement,” he said.

In this atmosphere of radical trust, the Psalmist reassures ‘the just’. Their situation may be worrisome or they may be tempted to participate in evil to avoid some inconvenience, but the Lord protects them from oppression, the Pope continued.

“The Psalm therefore infuses the soul with a profound trust”, which enables the believer to confront difficult situations, he added.

“With the Psalmist who contemplates the city of Jerusalem, the symbol of God’s peace, we trust in our loving Father, who leads us to that peace promised in Christ to God’s faithful people.”

The Pope welcomed pilgrims, in particular, a group of priests from China. He also greeted groups from Hong Kong, Ireland, the Philippines, Australia and the United States.