VATICAN CITY, JULY 8, 2007 (Zenit.org).- The missionary role is common to all baptized, who are called everywhere to be bearers of the message of peace, says Benedict XVI.
The Pope communicated this message this morning to the thousands who gathered in St. Peter's Square to pray the Angelus.
This was the Holy Father's last Angelus address from the window of the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican before he leaves Monday for vacation in the Alpine Dolomites mountain range in northern Italy.
Reflecting on Sunday's Gospel, in which Jesus sends out 72 disciples to the villages where he is planning travel, the Pontiff commented on the meaning of the missionary mandate for each believer.
Benedict XVI affirmed that the Evangelist Luke emphasizes that "the mission is not reserved to the Twelve Apostles, but is extended to other disciples," and that in "God's field there is work for everyone."
He said, "Christ does not limit himself to sending out. He also gives the disciples clear and precise rules of conduct."
Jesus sends them out "'two by two,' so that they help each other and give an example of fraternal love," said the Pope.
"[Jesus] notes that they will be 'like lambs among wolves,'" he continued, "despite everything they must be peaceful and in every situation bring a message of peace."
The Pontiff added: "They will not take clothes or money with them, so as to live by what Providence offers them; they will care for the sick, as a sign of God's mercy; where they are rejected, they will leave, limiting themselves to warning those who reject them that they are responsible for rejecting the kingdom of God."
Benedict XVI expressed his desire that "this Gospel reawaken in all the baptized the awareness of being missionaries of Christ, called to prepare the way for him with words and with the testimony of their lives."
After praying the Angelus, the Bishop of Rome greeted the pilgrims in various languages.
In English, recalling that "the harvest is plenty but the laborers are few," he encouraged those present to pray to the Lord so he will "continue to bless his Church with confident and generous workers."
ZE07070809 - 2007-07-08