Pope Francis: We need to develop an 'ecology of the heart'

Source: Vatican News

Addressing a delighted crowd gathered in Saint Peter's Square for the Angelus on Sunday, Pope Francis said we need an "ecology of the heart" developed through "rest, contemplation and compassion". And the summer is a good time to do this.

Last week ago he led the Angelus prayer from Rome's Gemelli Hospital, greeting crowds from the tenth floor balcony where he was recovering from intestinal surgery that took place a week earlier. The Pope returned to the Vatican on Wednesday.

In his reflections before the Angelus, the Pope drew from the day's Gospel, which recounts when the Apostles return enthusiastically from their missionary labours and Jesus invites them to "Come away by yourselves to a lonely place, and rest a while" (Mk 6:31). Jesus offers us an important teaching here, the Pope observed, as He is concerned about their wellbeing due to the physical or interior tiredness, even though He rejoices on seeing their happiness over the success of their preaching.

We too can get caught up in the rush of all our activities and be focused always on doing things and achieving results, the Pope said, and this presents a risk of thinking we are the prime protagonists. We see this at times in the Church, he noted, where we are very busy, thinking everything "depends on us", but we risk overlooking Jesus. Jesus' invitation to take time out to rest is "not only physical rest, but also rest for the heart" he added.

To truly rest, we need to "return to the heart of things", the Pope said, and that requires stopping our activities and remaining in silence and prayer to help us stop focusing on all that we have done and need to do. Jesus always served others, but each day He would "withdraw in prayer, in silence, in intimacy with the Father", the Pope said, and "His tender invitation - rest a while - should accompany us." The Pope added, let us learn how to take a break, "to turn off the mobile phone" and look at one another, "cultivate silence, to contemplate nature, to regenerate ourselves in dialogue with God."

The Pope noted that Jesus and the disciples could not take any rest in the end, because all the crowds were coming to them for help. The Lord was moved with compassion, he said, dedicating His time to help the people. The Pope said this may seem a contradiction, but it is not, since a heart that is not overtaken with busyiness and focusing only on itself, is a heart that "is capable of being moved" to be being aware of others and their wounds and needs.

"Compassion is born from contemplation", the Pope said, and by learning to truly rest we can be authentically compassionate. By staying close to the Lord and true to who we are, all of our activities and outreach will not have the better of us, the Pope said, summarizing it by saying "We need an 'ecology of the heart', that is made up of rest, contemplation and compassion".

In his greetings after the Angelus Pope Francis expressed his nearness to the people of Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands, who were hit by catastrophic floods. he said: "May the Lord welcome the deceased and comfort their loved ones, may he sustain the efforts of everyone who are helping those who have suffered serious damage."

Pope Francis also voiced his concern about the riots and looting which took place in South Africa - which is already suffering with the pandemic and economic problems. He said: "I address a heartfelt appeal to all the leaders involved that they might work toward building peace and collaborate with the authorities to provide assistance to those in need. May the desire that has guided the South African people, the rebirth of harmony among all its children, not be forgotten."

The Pope also spoke about the people of Cuba - where there have been widespread protests recently. He said: I am also near to the dear Cuban people in these difficult moments, in particular to those families suffering the most. I pray that the Lord might help the nation construct a society that is more and more just and fraternal through peace, dialogue and solidarity. I urge all Cubans to entrust themselves to the maternal protection of the Virgin Mary of Charity of Cobre. She will accompany them on this journey."

Watch the General Audience on the Vatican Media Youtube channel: www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDYPr85iEKA