The Lord Is Near to All Who Call Upon Him

VATICAN CITY, FEB. 8, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of the address Benedict XVI gave at today's general audience. The Pope commented on the second part of Psalm 144(145).

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1. Following the Liturgy, which divides it in two parts, we again reflect on Psalm 144(145), an admirable hymn in honor of the Lord, an affectionate king attentive to his creatures. We now want to meditate on the second part, on verses 14 to 21, which take up again the essential topic of the hymn's first movement.

In it are exalted divine mercy, tenderness, fidelity and goodness that extend to the whole of humanity, involving every creature. Now the psalmist concentrates his attention on the love the Lord reserves in a particular way for the poor and the weak. Therefore, divine royalty is not indifferent or haughty, as can sometimes happen in the exercise of human power. God expresses his royalty stooping down to his most fragile and defenseless creatures.

2. In fact, above all, he is a Father who "upholds all who are falling" and straightens those who have fallen in the dust of humiliation (cf. verse 14). Living beings, therefore, are oriented to the Lord as if they were hungry beggars and he offers them, as attentive Father, the food they need to live (cf. verse 15).

Then, from the lips of the psalmist issues the profession of faith in the two divine qualities par excellence: justice and holiness. "You, Lord, you just in all your ways, faithful in all your works" (verse 17). In Hebrew, we come across two typical adjectives to illustrate the Covenant that exists between God and his People: "saddiq" and "hasid." They express justice, which wants to save and liberate from evil, and fidelity which is a sign of the loving greatness of the Lord.

3. The psalmist places himself on the side of the benefited that he describes with different expressions; they are terms that constitute, in practice, a representation of the authentic believer. The latter "invokes" the Lord in confident prayer, seeks him in life "in truth" (cf. verse 18), fears his God, respecting his will and obeying his Word (cf. verse 19), but above all, "loves" him, confident that he will be received under the mantle of his protection and intimacy (cf. verse 20).

The psalmist's last word, then, is the same as that with which he began the hymn: It is an invitation to praise and bless the Lord and his "name," namely, the living and holy person that acts and saves in the world and history. Beyond that, it is a call to all creatures, who have received the gift of life, to associate themselves to the prayer of praise: "All flesh will bless your holy name forever." It is a kind of everlasting hymn that must be raised from earth to heaven; it is the communal celebration of the universal love of God, source of peace, joy and salvation.

4. Concluding our reflection, let us meditate again on that gentle verse that says: "You, Lord, are near to all who call upon you, to all who call upon you in truth" (verse 18). It was a phrase that was particularly liked by Barsanufius of Gaza, an ascetic who died about the middle of the sixth century, who was consulted by monks, ecclesiastics and lay people because of the wisdom of his discernment.

For example, to a disciple who expressed the desire to discover "the causes of the different temptations that had assailed him," Barsanufius replied: "Brother John, do not be afraid of the temptations that arise against you to put you to the test, do not be determined in trying to understand what it is about; rather, cry out the name of Jesus: 'Jesus, help me.' And he will hear you because "the Lord is near to all who call upon him.' Do not be discouraged, run with ardor and you will reach your end in Christ, Jesus, our Lord" (Barsanufius and John of Gaza, "Epistolario," 39: "Collana di Testi Patristici," XCIII, Rome, 1991, p. 109).

And these words of the ancient Father are also valid for us. In our difficulties, problems, temptations, we must not simply engage in a theoretical reflection -- from whence do they come? -- but must react positively, invoking the Lord, maintaining a living contact with the Lord. Beyond that, we must cry out the name of Jesus: "Jesus, help me!" And we may be sure that he listens to us, as he is near to those who seek him. Let us not be discouraged; rather, let us run with ardor -- as this Father says -- and we too will reach life, Jesus, the Lord.

[Translation by ZENIT]

[At the end of the audience, the Holy Father greeted pilgrims in several languages. In English, he said:]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

In today's reflection we return to Psalm 144, a beautiful hymn in honor of the Lord, loving king, who is pious, tender, faithful and extends his goodness to all creatures. The Psalmist emphasizes that the Lord's love is never detached and lofty but is reserved in a special way for the weak and the poor. God is a Father who expresses his kingly nature by stooping down to protect those who are most fragile and defenseless.

"The Lord is just in all his ways and loving in all his deeds." The true believer should invoke the Lord in devoted prayer, seek him with a sincere heart, fear him, and above all love him.

In conclusion, let us contemplate the advice of Barsanufius of Gaza who encourages us to call upon Jesus for help during moments of temptation. Indeed, "the Lord is close to all who call him, who call on him from their hearts."

I am pleased to welcome the English-speaking pilgrims present at this audience, especially those from Ireland and the United States of America. Upon all of you I invoke the Lord's blessings of health and joy.

VATICAN CITY, FEB 8, 2006 (VIS) - At the end of today's General Audience, Pope Benedict XVI remembered Father Andrea Santoro, the Italian priest assassinated while praying after having celebrated mass last Sunday in Trabzon, Turkey.

The Holy Father prayed that "sacrifice of his life may contribute to dialogue between religions and to peace among people." After a long applause from the 8,000 present in the Paul VI Hall, the Holy Father added: "May the Lord take the soul of this silent and brave servant of the Gospel."

Pope Benedict XVI revealed that just yesterday there arrived "a precious letter" of Father Andrea, written on January 31, together with the small Christian community of Saint Mary's Parish. "It is an emotional testimony of love and adherence to Christ and His Church. But, above all, it is a mirror of his priestly soul and reflects his concern for the children."

In addition to the letter from Father Andrea, the Pope said that he had received another letter from the women of Saint Mary's inviting him to visit the parish. This letter, he concluded, is a witness "of devotion and love for Christ."

VATICAN CITY, FEB. 8, 2006 (Zenit.org).- Here is a translation of a letter dated Jan. 31 and written to the Pope by Father Andrea Santoro, the Italian missionary who was shot and killed last Sunday in his parish church in Trabzon, Turkey.

Benedict XVI directed that the letter be published in the Italian edition of L'Osservatore Romano. According to the Pontiff, the letter "reflects the zeal, faith and love that beat in the Don Andrea Santoro's heart."

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Rome, January 31, 2006

Holiness:

I am writing to you in the name of some Georgian ladies of my parish, St. Mary's in Trabzon (Trebisonda) on the Black Sea, Turkey. They dictated it to me in Turkish, I have translated it for you exactly as it came from their lips and I give it to you on the occasion of my visit to Rome. I am don Andrea Santoro, a Fidei Donum priest of the Church of Rome in Turkey, in the Diocese of Anatolia, resident here for the past 5 years. My flock is made up of 8/9 Catholics, many Orthodox of the city, and Muslims, who make up 99% of the population. You, Holiness, are both the Bishop of my native diocese (Rome) as well as Bishop of my diocese of destination, as it is an "Apostolic Vicariate." In virtue of this double title, I give you the letter of the three Georgian women.

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Dear Pope:

We greet you in the name of all Georgians.

We ask God to give you health in the name of Jesus.

We are very happy that God chose you as Pope. Pray for us, for the poor, for the miserable all over the world, for children. We believe your prayer reaches God directly. Georgians are very poor, they have debts, they have no homes or work. We are without strength.

At present we live in Trabzon and work. Pray that God will bless us and create in us a new and pure heart. We do not forget the Christian life and we try to be a good example for Turks in the name of God so that through us they will see and glorify God.

We have many things to say and recount, but, "Inshala" [God willing], if you come to Trabzon, we will be able to speak face to face. Your coming will be a joyful celebration. We pray and hope that God will give you health, peace and a Christian life. We kiss your hands. We will be happy if you reply and send us a photo with your signature.

You, as an ordinary father, pray for don Andrea and Loredana [an Italian volunteer who works in the parish], that God will give them strength and that through them the Church will grow and multiply in Trabzon.

[Signed:] Maria, Marina and Maria

In the name of the other Georgian Christians, we invite you to Trabzon on the occasion of your coming visit to Turkey in November.

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Holiness:

I join these three women to truly invite you to visit us. It is a small flock, as Jesus said, which tries to be salt, leaven and light on this earth. A visit of yours, even if brief, would be a consolation and encouragement. If God wills ... nothing is impossible for God.

I greet you and thank you for everything. Your books served me as nourishment during my theology studies. Bless me. And may God bless and assist you.

Don Andrea Santoro
Fidei Donum priest of the Diocese of Rome in Turkey,
Diocese of Anatolia, city of Trabzon on the Black Sea,
St. Mary's Church

Psalm 144:14-21
Douay-Rheims Bible

14 The Lord lifteth up all that fall: and setteth up all that are cast down. 15 The eyes of all hope in thee, O Lord: and thou givest them meat in due season.

16 Thou openest thy hand, and fillest with blessing every living creature. 17 The Lord is just in all his ways: and holy in all his works. 18 The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him: to all that call upon him in truth. 19 He will do the will of them that fear him: and he will hear their prayer, and save them. 20 The Lord keepeth all them that love him; but all the wicked he will destroy.

21 My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord: and let all flesh bless thy holy name for ever; yea, for ever and ever.

Latin Vulgate Bible

14 adlevat Dominus omnes qui corruunt et erigit omnes elisos 15 oculi omnium in te sperant et tu das escam illorum in tempore oportuno

16 aperis tu manum tuam et imples omne animal benedictione 17 iustus Dominus in omnibus viis suis et sanctus in omnibus operibus suis 18 prope est Dominus omnibus invocantibus eum omnibus invocantibus eum in veritate 19 voluntatem timentium se faciet et deprecationem eorum exaudiet et salvos faciet eos 20 custodit Dominus omnes diligentes se et omnes peccatores disperdet

21 laudationem Domini loquetur os meum et benedicat omnis caro nomini sancto eius in saeculum et in saeculum saeculi

Pope Benedict XVI greets bishops as he arrives to hold his weekly Wednesday general audience at the Paul VI hall in the Vatican February 8, 2006. Pope Benedict paid tribute to the Italian Catholic priest killed in Turkey, hoping his death would promote greater understanding between Christianity and Islam. REUTERS/Dario Pignatelli

Pope Benedict XVI listens to a priest announcing the group of pilgrims attending the weekly general audience in the Paul VI hall at the Vatican, Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2006. The pontiff mourned the death of a Roman Catholic priest slain in Turkey and disclosed he had just received what he called a moving letter from the cleric written a few days before he was killed. The pope, addressing his weekly public audience, noted that the Rev. Andrea Santoro, a 60-year-old Italian, was killed Sunday while 'praying in church.' (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Pope Benedict XVI blesses the faithful at the end of his weekly Wednesday general audience at the Paul VI hall in the Vatican as he is flanked by Cardinal Archbishop of Vienna Christoph Schonborn February 8, 2006. Pope Benedict paid tribute to the Italian Catholic priest killed in Turkey, hoping his death would promote greater understanding between Christianity and Islam.©DANIELE COLARIETI/CPP

"For example, to a disciple who expressed the desire to discover "the causes of the different temptations that had assailed him," Barsanufius replied: "Brother John, do not be afraid of the temptations that arise against you to put you to the test, do not be determined in trying to understand what it is about; rather, cry out the name of Jesus: 'Jesus, help me.' And he will hear you because "the Lord is near to all who call upon him.' Do not be discouraged, run with ardor and you will reach your end in Christ, Jesus, our Lord" (Barsanufius and John of Gaza, "Epistolario," 39: "Collana di Testi Patristici," XCIII, Rome, 1991, p. 109).

And these words of the ancient Father are also valid for us. In our difficulties, problems, temptations, we must not simply engage in a theoretical reflection -- from whence do they come? -- but must react positively, invoking the Lord, maintaining a living contact with the Lord. Beyond that, we must cry out the name of Jesus: "Jesus, help me!" And we may be sure that he listens to us, as he is near to those who seek him. Let us not be discouraged; rather, let us run with ardor -- as this Father says -- and we too will reach life, Jesus, the Lord."

Wise words from +BXVI and Barsanufius; something we all on FR should remember. For centuries and centuries, the holy monastics and spiritual fathers of the Eastern Church have instructed their spiritual children to continually pary this:

"Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner!"

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