By Junno Arocho
VATICAN CITY, OCT. 15, 2012 (Zenit.org).- In his Sunday Angelus address, Pope Benedict XVI reflected on the wealthy in light of the Gospel of the rich man. The Holy Father said that while it is difficult for a rich man to enter into heaven, it is not impossible. In fact, the Pope said, «God can conquer the heart of a person who has many possessions and move him to solidarity and sharing with the needy, with the poor, to enter into the logic of the gift.»
The Pope said that while the rich man in the Gospel faithfully observed the commandments, he had not yet discovered «true happiness.» The Holy Father also highlighted that, as many wealthy people do, the rich man «thinks that he might be able to ‘buy’ eternal life in some way, perhaps by observing some special commandment.»
Jesus, Pope Benedict XVI continued, while admiring the rich man’s desire, also understood his weakness was the attachment to riches, therefore, inviting him to give everything to the poor. Contemplating on the St. Clements reflection of the Gospel, the Pope said that the rich aren’t condemned but must only learn to use their wealth and obtain life.
«The Church’s history is full of examples of rich people who used their possessions in an evangelical way, achieving sanctity. We need only think of St. Francis, St. Elizabeth or St. Charles Borromeo,» he said.
After the recitation of the Angelus, the Holy Father called attention to the beatification of Frederick Bachstein and 13 Brothers of the Order of the Friars Minor, saying that «they remind us that believing in Christ also means suffering with him and for him.»
The Holy Father concluded his address invoking God’s blessing on the faithful, saying that he hoped during this Year of Faith the faith may «have the courage to ask the Lord what more can we do, especially for the poor, the lonely, the sick and the suffering, so as to be witnesses and heirs to the eternal life God promises.»
