Sep 26, 2010 / 04:41 am
Pope Benedict taught on Sunday that providing for the poor of the world takes precedence over providing for one's own comfort. Their "eternal destiny," he said, depends on the conduct of all people and it is in everyone's hands to make the decision to live a "path of love," in service and charity to others.
Meeting with the faithful and pilgrims at Castel Gandolfo for the last time this year before his return to Rome next Friday, the Holy Father looked rested as he spoke of Sunday's Gospel and saintly examples of charity. He based his catechesis on Sunday's Gospel from Luke in which the poor man, Lazarus, is taken up to heaven by the angels while the rich man at whose door he begged finds himself in hell.
The parable's message "goes beyond" Christ's words "Blessed are you who are poor, for the kingdom of God is yours," taught the Pope.
He said to "remember that, while we are in this world, we must listen to the Lord who speaks to us through the Sacred Scriptures and live according to His will, otherwise, after death, it will be too late to mend our ways."