The Holy Symphony of Prayer in the Psalms
Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!
In preparation for the next Jubilee, I invited the devotion of the year 2024 “to a great ‘symphony’ of prayer”. With today’s catechesis, I would like to recall that the Church already possesses a captivating symphony of prayer, composed by the Holy Spirit himself, found within the Book of Psalms.
Just like in any symphony, the Psalms contain various “movements” of prayer: praise, thanksgiving, supplication, lamentation, narration, and more. These songs, inspired by the Holy Spirit, have been placed on the lips of the Bride, His Church, resonating throughout the ages with poetic inspiration.
The Psalms have held a special place in the New Testament and continue to be a part of the Christian tradition. They have been the prayers of Jesus, Mary, the Apostles, and all generations of believers that came before us. When we recite them, we join in with the grand orchestra of the communion of saints.
However, we are encouraged not to merely recite the Psalms but to make them our own prayers. By embracing the Psalms and praying with them, we connect with the rich history of our faith and give voice to our deepest emotions and desires before God.
The Psalms teach us to pray beyond our own needs, opening us up to a prayer of praise, blessing, and thanksgiving. They invite us to involve all creation in our praise and to lift our hearts to God in unity with the Church.
Let us allow the Holy Spirit to guide us in making the Psalms resound in the Church today, creating a harmonious symphony of prayer as we prepare for the upcoming Jubilee. Thank you!
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Appeal
Tomorrow marks World Refugee Day, a day promoted by the United Nations to raise awareness of the plight of refugees. Let us open our hearts to those seeking peace and security, welcoming, promoting, and integrating them into our communities. May all nations strive to ensure humane conditions for refugees and facilitate their integration processes.
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Special Greetings
I extend a warm welcome to all English-speaking pilgrims and visitors joining us today, hailing from various countries around the world. May the joy and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you and your families. God bless you!
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Summary of the Holy Father’s words
Today’s catechesis highlights the Holy Spirit’s role in teaching the Church, as the Bride of Christ, how to pray. Through the rich tapestry of the Psalms, we join the communion of saints in a symphony of prayer, expressing every movement of our hearts before God. Let us embrace the Psalms as our own prayers, allowing the Holy Spirit to enrich our prayer lives and unite us in praise with all of creation.
