The Pope's affectionate words and public greeting to Cardinal Ernest Simoni, 95, who suffered 28 years in communist prison in Albania, and continues to give "witness by working for the Church, without becoming discouraged", exemplified the antidote proposed by the Holy Father against the temptation of acedia or laziness, one of its consequences.
The Pontiff has meditated on the Audience of this Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the LentIn the eighth session of his catechesis cycle on "Vices and Virtues", he spoke about acedia, which "is more commonly replaced by laziness, which is one of its effects".
The reading chosen was from Matthew, chapter 26, corresponding to the beginning of Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane, when the Lord finds the disciples asleep, and reminds them of the need to pray, because the Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.
The patience of faith
"Acedia is a very dangerous temptation, which leads us to see everything as gray, monotonous and boring," and "can induce us to abandon the good path we have embarked on, and even lead us to lose the meaning of our own existence," Francis told the pilgrims of different languages, after the summary made in the Paul VI Hall by the readers, today all women, religious and lay, except for the Arab reader.
Acedia means "unconcern for one's own existence," he added, and "reminds one of depression: life loses meaning, prayer seems boring, every battle seems meaningless. It is a bit like dying prematurely".
Among the remedies, "the masters of spirituality point to the patience of faith. Even when, under the influence of acedia, we want to flee from reality, we must have the courage to remain and accept in my "here and now" the presence of God. "Acedia has not even spared the saints, who teach us to live with patience the night of faith," he pointed out.
"In those dark moments it is necessary to be patient, accepting our poverty and always trusting in Jesus, who never abandons us."
Accompany Jesus with prayer, fasting and almsgiving.
Referring to Ash Wednesday, the Pope reminded pilgrims from various countries that "today we begin Lent. I invite you during this time to accompany Jesus in the desert with prayer, fasting and almsgiving, bearing witness to the faith with joy and humility".
At the end, in his message to the Italian faithful, and underlining the message main event on this day: "Today begins the LentLet us prepare ourselves to live this time as an opportunity to conversion and interior renewal in listening to the Word of God, in the attention to our brothers and sisters who need our help and in the intensification of prayer, especially to obtain the gift of peace in the world".
Francis finally specified his final request in these months. "Let us never forget the martyred Ukraine, and Israel and Palestine, which suffer so much. Let us pray for all our brothers and sisters who are suffering from war. Let us go forward in listening to the Word of God, intensifying prayer, to ask for peace in the world. To all my blessing".
The way to build peace
Before greeting Cardinal Simoni, the Holy Father recalled that we have all heard or read the story of the first martyrs, so many in the Church, many have been buried here, in the excavations we find these tombs, but "even today there are so many martyrs, perhaps more than in the beginning. There are so many persecuted...". And he addressed the elderly cardinal, whom he defined as "a living martyr".
Earlier, in his words to the Polish pilgrims, who demonstrated noisily, the Pope informed them that "today a collection is being taken up in all the churches of your country to help Ukraine. In the face of so many wars, let us not close our hearts to those in need. May prayer, fasting and almsgiving be the way to build peace. I bless you and your families". imposition of ashes at the Basilica of Santa Sabina, starting at 4.30 pm.
