Acts 18:9
9 And the Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, "Do not be afraid any longer, but go on speaking and do not be silent;"
The Holy Father was a very courageous man. He left the safety of the Vatican on many occasions as he went to visit foreign lands. He took the risk of having accidents, and of having to face encounters with protesters, anti-Catholics and terrorists.
On May 13, 1981, the Holy Father was shot in St. Peter's Square, by a Turkish terrorist. He was wounded fatally, but thanks to Our Lady he was spared from an early death.
He continued his public exposure, counting on Christ as his defender and protector, and teaching everyone to be bold in the proclamation of the Word of God.
+ + + + + +
Excerpt
From the Vatican, 24 January 2005, the Feast of Saint Francis de Sales, Patron Saint of Journalists.
14. The apostle Paul has a clear message for those engaged in communications (politicians, professional communicators, spectators), “Therefore, putting away falsehood, speak the truth, each one to his neighbor, for we are members one of another… No foul language should come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for needed edification, that it may impart grace to those who hear” (Eph 4: 25, 29).
To those working in communication, especially to believers involved in this important field of society, I extend the invitation which, from the beginning of my ministry as Pastor of the Universal Church, I have wished to express to the entire world “Do not be afraid!”
Do not be afraid of new technologies! These rank “among the marvelous things” – inter mirifica – which God has placed at our disposal to discover, to use and to make known the truth, also the truth about our dignity and about our destiny as his children, heirs of his eternal Kingdom.
Do not be afraid of being opposed by the world! Jesus has assured us, “I have conquered the world!” (Jn 16:33)
Do not be afraid even of your own weakness and inadequacy! The Divine Master has said, “I am with you always, until the end of the world” (Mt 28:20). Communicate the message of Christ’s hope, grace and love, keeping always alive, in this passing world, the eternal perspective of heaven, a perspective which no communications medium can ever directly communicate, “What eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, and what has not entered the human heart, what God has prepared for those who love him” (1Cor 2:9).
To Mary, who gave us the Word of life, and who kept his unchanging words in her heart, do I entrust the journey of the Church in today’s world. May the Blessed Virgin help us to communicate by every means the beauty and joy of life in Christ our Savior.
To all I give my Apostolic Blessing! |
