"From the first moment of my election as Successor of St. Peter I have always felt supported by the prayers of the Church, by your prayers, especially at moments of greatest difficultly, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart", said His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI today during his General Audience.
As part of a series of catecheses dedicated to the early Church, this morning our Holy Father focused his remarks on the last episode of St. Peter's life recounted in the Acts of the Apostles, when he was imprisoned by Herod Agrippa then freed by an angel of the Lord…. While the Apostle was in prison, the Church prayed for him constantly. Thus, the Holy Father explained, "the power of the Church’s incessant prayer rose up to God; the Lord listened and sent His angel to ensure the Apostle was freed by an inconceivable and unexpected act of liberation".
The Pope then considered Peter's actions while in prison, and the fact that he was sleeping which the angel came. "In such a critical and dangerous situation, this may seem strange, but it actually denotes tranquility and trust", he said. "Peter trusted in God, he knew he was surrounded by the solidarity and support of his followers and so abandoned himself entirely into the hands of the Lord. This is how our prayer must be: assiduous, united with others, an expression of complete trust in God Who knows us in our most intimate selves and looks after us"….
The liberation of St. Peter, the Holy Father concluded, "tells us that the Church, and each one of us, must suffer difficulties, but the incessant vigilance of prayer supports us. ... With constant and trusting prayer the Lord frees us from our chains and guides us. ... He gives us serenity of heart to face the difficulties of life, even rejection, opposition and persecution. ... The Apostle Peter, though in chains, was calm and certain that he was not alone: the community was praying for him, the Lord was close. He knew that 'the power of Christ is fully expressed in weakness'".
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Our Lady of Guadalupe, mystical rose, make intercession for Holy Church, protect the Sovereign Pontiff, help all those who invoke thee in their necessities, and since thou art the ever Virgin Mary and Mother of the true God, obtain for us from thy most holy Son the grace of keeping our faith, sweet hope in the midst of the bitterness of life, burning charity and the precious gift of final perseverance.
(from Our Lady of Guadalupe Novena and Prayers, William J. Hirten)
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Even in the midst of suffering, we must pray without ceasing, united with others in faith, expressing total trust in God Who knows us, loves us, and wants us to experience His profound peace.
Thank you for your union of prayers which are deeply felt and greatly appreciated. You are an angel sent by God to help encourage abandonment into His hands: day by day, hour by hour, minute by minute. Your prayerful support offers freedom, just as the angel of the Lord freed St. Peter. Deo gratias. Thanks be to God for the gift of serenity which defies description but which is a tangible expression of His great power and love.
Be assured of my prayers for you and your intentions.
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THE TASK AHEAD OF ME IS NO MATCH FOR THE POWER OF DIVINE PRESENCE BEHIND AND WITHIN ME. (forwarded by a friend)
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