Vatican City, Apr 25, 2012 / 09:52 am
On April 25, Pope Benedict XVI told over 20,000 pilgrims that they must commit themselves to works of charity, without neglecting prayer as a source of spiritual life.
“Without daily prayer,” Pope Benedict said in his Wednesday morning general audience in St. Peter's Square, “our action is empty” and “loses its deep soul, resulting in a simple activism that eventually leaves (us) unsatisfied.”
As he continued his series of talks on prayer, the Pope reflected on the institution of the ministry of deacons in the book of Acts. While the decision was taken to allow the Apostles to focus on prayer and the Eucharist, the Pope said it also showed the spiritual value of the charitable services to which the first deacons were called.
For the Church, Pope Benedict said, “charity and justice are not only social actions,” but also “spiritual actions” done “in light of the Holy Spirit.”