By Junno Arocho
VATICAN CITY, Nov. 12, 2012 (Zenit.org).- Reflecting on the Sunday readings which gave the example of two widows as distinct models of faith, Pope Benedict XVI called on the faithful to put their trust in God. The Holy Father addressed thousands of people who braved high winds and rain in St. Peter’s Square to listen to his Sunday Angelus address.
The Pope compared the widow from the first Book of Kings to the widow from the Gospel of St. Mark, saying that both women, who found themselves in a dire situation, demonstrated «a great faith in God.»
From these 2 biblical episodes, the Holy Father said, «we can draw a precious teaching about faith. It is about the interior attitude of those who base their lives on God, on his Word, and completely entrust themselves to him.»
«For this reason in the Bible, widows and orphans are people of whom God takes special care: they have last their earthly support but God is their Husband or their Father.»
Pope Benedict continued saying that according to Scripture, the condition of need is insufficient and that God asks for «our adherence in faith, which is expressed in love of him and neighbor.» The Holy Father said that both women demonstrated their faith through acts of charity: «the one towards the prophet and the other gives alms.»
«In this way they attest to the inseparability of faith and charity and love of God and love of neighbor – as last Sunday’s Gospel reminded us,» the Pope said.
Prior to the recitation of the Angelus, Pope Benedict XVI referred to the Virgin Mary as the perfect model of those who entrust their whole life to God.
With this faith, he concluded, «she speaks her ‘Here I am’ to the Angel and accepts the will of God. May Mary help each of us in this Year of Faith and strengthen confidence in God and in his Word.»
