Dear Soter, We can detect a lot of politicaL gimmicks these days, not wisdom for the welfare of the people. We need wise men like Solomon for our Goa. Keep up your work for the people of Goa! Best wishes, Fr.Ivo
---- SOTER <[email protected]> wrote: > MORAL RESPONSIBILITY OF THOSE IN GOVERNMENT > > VATICAN CITY, 24 JUL 2011 (VIS) - In his remarks before praying the Angelus > this morning, Benedict XVI commented on the first reading from today's > liturgy, a passage from the Book of Kings in which Solomon, ascending the > throne, asks God for an understanding heart to serve His people with justice > and to distinguish between good and evil. > > Addressing the faithful gathered in the inner courtyard of the Apostolic > Palace at Castelgandolfo, the Pope explained the meaning of Solomon's prayer. > "We know that 'heart' in the Bible indicates not just a part of the body but > the core of the individual, the seat of his intentions and judgments; in > other words, his conscience. An 'understanding heart' means, then, a > conscience capable of listening, sensitive to the voice of truth and thus > able to distinguish good from evil. In Solomon's case the request is > motivated by his responsibility for guiding a nation, Israel, the people whom > God chose to reveal His plan of salvation to the world. The king of Israel > must, then, seek constant harmony with God and listen to His Word, in order > to guide the people along the ways of the Lord, the way of justice and peace. > > "However", the Holy Father added, "the example of Solomon applies to us all. > Each of us has a conscience which makes us, in a certain sense, 'king'; in > other words, which enables us to exercise the supreme human dignity of acting > according to right conscience, doing good and avoiding evil. Moral conscience > presupposes a capacity to listen to the voice of truth, humbly to follow its > guidance. People called to play a role in government naturally have a further > responsibility and, as Solomon teaches, have even greater need of God's help. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Protect Goa's natural beauty Support Goa's first Tiger Reserve Sign the petition at: http://www.goanet.org/petition/petition.php ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
