Pope: Don't Forget God on Vacation

Says Work Also Shouldn’t Distract Us From Him

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VATICAN CITY, JUNE 3, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI is proposing that the way to live an authentic life is by leaving moments for God, as much during work as during vacation.

The Pope suggested this today during the general audience in St. Peter’s Square, during which he focused on the figure of Rabanus Maurus, an 8th century monk from Germany.

The Holy Father concluded his address by citing one of Rabanus’ phrases: “He who neglects contemplation is deprived of the vision of the light of God; he who is carried away with worry and allows his thoughts to be crushed by the tumult of the things of the world is condemned to the absolute impossibility of penetrating the secrets of the invisible God.”

The Pontiff contended that “Rabanus Maurus addressed these words to us today.”

He explained: “While at work, with its frenetic rhythms, and during vacation, we have to reserve moments for God. [We have to] open our lives up to him, directing a thought to him, a reflection, a brief prayer.

“And above all, we mustn’t forget that Sunday is the day of Our Lord, the day of the liturgy, [the day] to perceive in the beauty of our churches, in the sacred music and in the Word of God, the same beauty of our God, allowing him to enter into our being.”

“Only in this way,” the Pontiff concluded, “is our life made great; it is truly made a life.”

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